text:
Q: How to retain selected option after form submit in asp.net mvc? I have a fixed option dropdownlist on my html page. It contains three options (By name, By Views, By Likes) for sorting the data displayed on page. When the value in the dropdown is changed, I am submitting the form and controller returns the updated data according to sort choice selected. But the selected option in dropdown resets to first option. How do I set the selected option in the dropdown.
I need to submit the form and do not send the ajax request.

A: you need to use .val() to set the selected value in the dropdown list.
try this $('#YourDropDownList').val(SelectedOrderBy);

A: If you have some java script wired up to the change event of the drop down and you are calling form.submit() there, It is same as you submit your form with a submit button( Your page is getting a response from server).
You need to make sure that your view model has a property which can hold what was the selected item in the dropdown.
Have a view model like this
public class CriteriaVM
{
    public IEnumerable<SelectListItem> SortItems { set; get; }
    public String SelectedSortItem { set; get; }

    public CriteriaVM()
    {
        this.SortItems=new List<SelectListItem>();
    }
}

So now in your GET action method, You are loading the SortItems collection and rendering that in your view.
public ActionResult Index()
{
    var vm = new CriteriaVM {SortItems = GetItems()};
    return View(vm);
}

private List<SelectListItem> GetItems()
{
    return new List<SelectListItem>
    {
        new SelectListItem {Value = "Name", Text = "Name"},
        new SelectListItem {Value = "City", Text = "City"}
    };
}

and your view is
@model YourNameSpaceHere.CriteriaVM
@using (Html.BeginForm())
{
    @Html.DropDownListFor(s=>s.SelectedSortItem,Model.SortItems,"Select")
    <input type="submit" />

Selected  : @Model.SelectedSortItem

}

And in the HttpPost action, make sure that you are setting the SelectedSortItem property explicitly after loading the SortItems property.
[HttpPost]
public ActionResult Index(CriteriaVM model)
{
    var selected = model.SelectedSortItem;
    model.SortItems = GetItems();
    model.SelectedSortItem = selected;

    return View(model);
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


It goes without saying that one of the most popular poker variations in the world is none other than Texas Hold 'Em. The game is also known as just Hold 'Em and has risen to fame originally in the United States.
In this variation, each player is dealt with two hole cards – face down. In the stages that follow, another five community cards are dealt. The whole point is to achieve the best five card hand at the table. The player who is the last standing in the final round and has the best hand wins the pot.
This classic variation has been around for ages and has titillated all generations of players. Read this guide to find out more about Texas Hold 'Em and how you can get the best out of it.
Just like in the other forms of poker, Texas Hold 'Em also has the same betting options. You can choose to fold, check, bet, call or raise. The game starts with a pre-flop round whereby the player can opt to call or raise the big blind after seeing their hole cards. The game moves in a clockwise fashion around the table.
Subsequently is the flop where three community cards are dealt face-up. Then comes the turn where a card is dealt face up in the fourth street and the fifth street. Each round of betting commences clockwise until the showdown. In the showdown, the last person with the best hand wins the pot and the game comes to a close.
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text:
plans unveiled for far smaller 'joyous' festival
On Jul 1, 2021
The producers of the Edinburgh festival fringe are hoping for a "joyous, beautiful experience" after unveiling the schedule for a far smaller season of theatre, dance, comedy and music.
Tickets for this year's fringe went on sale on Thursday morning with producers favouring outdoor venues such as beaches, city squares, courtyards and pedestrianised streets, as they adapt to Scotland's stricter Covid lockdown rules.
Street performers will return to the Royal Mile in August, but without the bustling chaos of previous years. Instead, audiences will be invited into open-air auditoriums with entrance and exit points, and fixed audience numbers.
Shona McCarthy, the festival's chief executive, said that after last year's event was entirely cancelled, there was a "frisson" and a "muted, celebratory" tone among organisers and production companies that live arts were taking place.
This year's festival, historically the world's largest, would be much smaller and more intimate. Many events would be online, with tickets sold for livestreamed performances and on-demand films on the festival's fringe player platform.
"I don't think we'll see hordes of people coming across the border. I don't think we'll see hordes of people coming from abroad. This will be much more for local audiences, having things on a smaller, more managed scale. It will be a joyous, beautiful fringe experience," McCarthy said.
"Even if it's such a scaled-back one, we're going to be able to see some live performances – cabaret, comedy and circuses; some will be outdoors and some indoors. Some of it will be digital, but it's the first time in such a long time."
The shows will include a Traverse theatre production, Move, on Silverknowes beach on the Firth of Forth; a participatory comedy, Community Circle, and live music by acts such as Stanley Odd in the courtyard of Summerhall on Edinburgh's southside; Treasure Island at Musselburgh racecourse; live standup at the Corn Exchange and Myra's Story, an Assembly production in George Square gardens.
McCarthy and fringe production companies were highly critical last month of the strict physical-distancing rules imposed by Nicola Sturgeon, Scotland's first minister, which led some to fear this year's event could not take place.
But Sturgeon recently announced the 2-metre distancing rule should be replaced by 1-metre distancing on 19 July, with the goal of entirely lifting distancing rules on 9 August. That has allowed venues to put shows on indoors, with the Scottish government providing emergency funding to help with costs.
McCarthy said, however, that the recent upsurge in Covid infections in Scotland fuelled by young football fans watching matches in the Euro 2020 tournament was a warning those plans may change.
Anthony Alderson, director of the Pleasance, one of the fringe's "big four" venues, said it was staging a tenth of the normal fringe season. Many performances would be one-offs, adding to a sense of spontaneity. And new shows were still being added to the schedule.
He said: "It could be an exciting festival. It's happening at breakneck speed because we've only just had the nod. It will be much smaller, but could be extremely interesting."
Bill Burdett-Coutts, founder of the Assembly, agreed. "I'm delighted that we're doing something," he said. "It's better to keep the flag flying and look forward to next year. It's disappointing Scotland hasn't opened up at the same level as England, but we're going to make the best of it."
New DUP leader targets end to Northern Ireland protocol
William and Harry unveil Diana statue at Kensington Palace

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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text:
York Revolution's successful opening weekend ends with 3-2 triumph over Lancaster
The York Revolution finished off a successful opening weekend on Sunday, beating the rival Lancaster Barnstormers, 3-2.
York Revolution's successful opening weekend ends with 3-2 triumph over Lancaster The York Revolution finished off a successful opening weekend on Sunday, beating the rival Lancaster Barnstormers, 3-2. Check out this story on yorkdispatch.com: http://www.yorkdispatch.com/story/sports/baseball/york-revolution/2018/04/29/york-revolutions-successful-opening-weekend-ends-3-2-triumph-over-lancaster/563259002/
York Dispatch Published 6:07 p.m. ET April 29, 2018 | Updated 8:28 p.m. ET April 29, 2018
PHOTOS: York Revolution hosts Lancaster in game 4 of series
Jared Mitchell of the York Revolution dives into second base on a steal as Lancaster shortstop Vladimir Frias waits for the throw, Sunday, April 29, 2018. John A. Pavoncello photo The York Dispatch
Revs second baseman Alexi Casilla makes the throw to first for the double play after outing Lancaster's Kyle Waldrop , Sunday, April 29, 2018. John A. Pavoncello photo The York Dispatch
Rubi Silva scores for the Revolution on a two-RBI hit by Luis Cruz in the seventh inning putting York up 3-2, Sunday, April 29, 2018. John A. Pavoncello photo The York Dispatch
Revolution catcher Luis Cruz hugs pitcher Junior Rincon after York closed out the 9th inning on the Lncaster Barnstormers, beating them 3-2, Sunday, April 29, 2018. John A. Pavoncello photo The York Dispatch
The York Revolution host the Lancaster Barnstormers, Sunday, April 29, 2018. John A. Pavoncello photo The York Dispatch
Rubi Silva scores for the Revolution on a two-RBI hit by Luis Cruz in the seventh inning putting York up 3-2, Sunday, April 29, 2018. John A. Pavoncello photo(Photo: The York Dispatch)Buy Photo
The Revs won three of four over the Barnstormers.
York trailed for most of the game but pulled ahead late for its second comeback win in the series.
Lancaster scored first on Blake Gailen's two-out RBI double in the third off York starter Dominic Severino. Lancaster starter Brooks Hall, meanwhile, faced the minimum and allowed just one hit to the Revs through three innings.
In the fourth, Anderson De La Rosa hit a solo homer to extend Lancaster's lead to 2-0.
The Revs cut the deficit in half in the bottom of the fourth. Jared Mitchell led off the inning with a walk, stole second and got to third on Alexi Casilla's infield single. Mitchell scored on Zach Wilson's sacrifice fly.
There was no more scoring until the seventh.
Hall's day was done after five innings. He allowed one run on two hits with three strikeouts. Severino went five innings as well, allowing two runs on four hits with three strikeouts, becoming the first Revs starter to go five innings this season. Jake Ezell and Robert Carson each pitched scoreless frames in the top of the sixth and seventh, respectively, for the Revs.
In the bottom of the seventh, lefty Jared Lakind came out of the bullpen for Lancaster but only recorded two outs, exiting with runners at first and third. Right-hander Jesus Sanchez walked Ryan Dent to load the bases. Luis Cruz put the Revs ahead 3-2 on a two-out, two-RBI single, scoring Jose Tabata and Rubi Silva. Both runs were unearned after the Revs took advantage of an error in the inning.
Luke Westphal pitched a scoreless eighth for the Revs. The Revs then called upon Junior Rincon for the save in the ninth. Rincon struck out the first two before allowing a two-out single to Carlos Garcia, who stole second and advanced to third on Darian Sandford's infield single. Sandford stole second to put two runners in scoring position, but Rincon stuck out Tyler Bortnick swinging to end the game to earn his first save of the season.
Revolution catcher Luis Cruz hugs pitcher Junior Rincon after York closed out the 9th inning on the Lncaster Barnstormers, beating them 3-2, Sunday, April 29, 2018. John A. Pavoncello photo (Photo: The York Dispatch)
Carson (1-0) ended up with the win.
The Revs (3-1) have an off day Monday before opening a three-game series with the Road Warriors at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday. That series features a day/night doubleheader on Wednesday starting at 11 a.m.


text:
__author__ = 'olga.ostapenko'

from model.contact import Contact

def test_delete_first_contact(app):
    app.session.login(username="admin", password="secret")
    if app.contact.count() == 0:
        app.contact.create(Contact(First_Name="test", Middle_Name="test", Last_Name="test", Company_Name="Test Company",
                                   Address="Test Address", Home_Phone="12345", Mobile_Phone="12345", Work_Phone="12345",
                                   Email="test@test.com", Homepage="www.test.com", Birthday="1984", Anniversary="2017",
                                   Secondary_Address="Test Address"))
    app.contact.delete_first_contact()
    app.session.logout()

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


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The blog was a little quiet this week as we've been dealing with illness and recovering from the weekend's travels to see our family and celebrate the 90th birthday of my husband's grandpa! Right now we are grateful for Grandma and Grandpa's protection the day before the party when they were in a car accident. Though they both have some injuries, they are okay.
The origin of this cinnamon scone recipe is my friend Leena. We were friendly last year at preschool drop-off when we were both pregnant at the same time...and then had babies only a few months apart. This year we started talking much more, and I shared with her my email address and phone number. From there, we stopped being "just friendly" and became friends. She brought me these cinnamon scones once when she came to visit. I promptly asked for the recipe! They are a sweet scone...almost like a cookie but without a lot of sugar.
I've made this recipe a few times now. Instead of breakfast, cinnamon scones are more of a snack or even a dessert for us. Scones freeze beautifully, too.
First, prepare the mix-ins in a small bowl by combining them all together. Set aside.
To make the dough, mix the first five ingredients together in a large bowl. Cut the butter into small pieces and work it into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse meal. You may want to use a pastry blender or larger fork-or even your hands.
Make a well in the center of the mixture. Add the sour cream and vanilla. Mix together. Add the mix-ins and the cinnamon chips. At this point I use my hands to mix it together in the bowl. It's the only way to get all the bits of flour from the bottom of the bowl.
Place dough on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper (or greased cookie sheet). Form dough into an 8 or 9 inch round. Cut into triangles. (I cut 10-12 for snacking, but most people would probably prefer 8 triangles.) Ideally, spread the triangles out a bit before baking. OR Form two flat circles with the dough and cut into 8 smaller triangles. Mini scones are perfect for sharing at a large brunch.
Brush the round with egg or milk, if desired. Top with a sprinkle of sugar.
Bake at 400° for 15-20 minutes or until the cinnamon scones are nicely browned on top.
~ Cinnamon chips are made by Hershey's and specialty baking companies. Not all grocery stores carry these, but they are available on-line at Hershey and Amazon...and larger grocery stores do carry them. You can also use Hershey's product finder to find a store near you!
~ I found that measuring the sour cream with a dry measuring cup instead of a liquid measure was best. Maybe you already knew that.
~ If you have pearl sugar to top them, it makes these cinnamon scones extra pretty!
~ If you remove a frozen cinnamon scone from the freezer, exercise for a bit, and need a snack reward, it will be nicely thawed when you are done. Of course, the microwave at low power works well to thaw them, too.
This was the first type of scone I had ever had. The mix-ins and cinnamon chips really make this less biscuit-like, and more like a cookie. You can actually use this same recipe to make cranberry scones by omitting the mix-ins and replacing the chips with Craisins. The cranberry scone is more of a traditional scone and not as sweet.
Do you have a favorite scone recipe? When do you serve them?
Annette, where do you find cinnamon chips? I have never seen them before.
My favorite grocery store (Redners) didn't have them, though they are at a Giant about 20 minutes away according to the Hershey product finder.
**Sigh** I miss that Giant! :( Thanks I will look for them.
Yum, I might have to make this without cinnamon chips since I will probably make them before I go to the store.
Enjoy! I haven't tried the mix-ins AND cranberries yet. That is on my to-do list!
I think THIS will be my favorite scones recipe...and I really just came over to thank you for commenting on Jonathan and Kristen's adoption blog. It's early days, and they need encouragement. I was thrilled to see an encouraging comment from you!!
Your family has been a little busy with some serious situations of late!!
I'm so glad your Grandpa and Grandma are fine!! I can't imagine how scary that was for everyone!


With Alabama's neighbor-state receiving record-shattering rainfall of between 4 and 26 inches in different areas over a four-day period, more than 15 parishes have been affected and at least 13 people reported dead.
On Aug. 19, Alabama Baptist Disaster Relief (DR) was assigned incident management responsibilities and teams were stationed at Istrouma Baptist Church, Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Clean up and recovery teams from Columbia, Baldwin and Tuskegee-Lee Baptist associations were deployed and will work at the Baton Rouge location. Two laundry units (from Mobile Baptist Association) were in place at press time at First Baptist Church, Zachary, Louisiana, and in Denham Springs, Louisiana. Three shower units also were in place at press time, one in Baton Rouge and two in Denham Springs.
But while Alabama and other states are helping a lot, flood survivors are still in need, according to Alan Cross, former pastor of Gateway Baptist Church, Montgomery, who now serves as president and executive director of Community Development Initiatives. Cross traveled to Louisiana to help in the relief efforts.
This entry was posted in Home and tagged Alabama Baptist Disaster Relief, Alan Cross, flooding, Louisiana, Red Cross. Bookmark the permalink.
Happy Hill Baptist Church is hosting a Disaster relief drive between now and August 31.


text:
Ukraine's 'chocolate king' riding high in election polls
Petro Poroshenko. Davos, January 2014. [World Economic Forum/Flickr]
Ukrainians are preparing to vote on Sunday (25 May) to elect a new president in an atmosphere of tension with Russia, as pro-Moscow militias try to scupper the poll in the country's east. The obvious frontrunner is Petro Poroshenko, a pro-European businessman known as "the chocolate king."
Even Russian media admit that Poroshenko, a former minister of foreign affairs and former speaker of the Ukrainian Parliament, may win the election in the first round.
A poll by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology, conducted between 29 April and 11 May, found Poroshenko was supported by 34% of voters, compared with 6% for former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko and 4% for Serghiy Tihipko, a member of parliament and former economy minister close to the former President Viktor Yanukovich. 25% said they were undecided.
Among voters who has made up their minds, Poroshenko was supported by 54.7% – enough to avoid a runoff – with 9.6% for Tymoshenko and 6.7% for Tihipko. A total of 18 candidates are registered.
Poroschenko's chances were further boosted when former boxer Vitaly Klitschko, leader of the political party Udar, decided to run for mayor of Kyiv instead. His other pro-European rival, Tymoshenko has refused to withdraw from the presidential race, even though such a gesture could guarantee that Poroshenko gets elected on the first round.
The 48-year-old businessman and politician is often cited as one of the most influential men in Ukrainian politics. He graduated with a degree in economics from Kyiv University in 1989, and started his own business selling cocoa beans. In the 1990s, he took control of several businesses before uniting them in the Roshen group, the largest confectionery enterprise in Ukraine.
Poroshenko has visited Brussels and publicly expressed support for bringing Ukraine in line with EU standards, even during the times when the rule of Viktor Yanukovich appeared undisputed and Tymoshenko was serving a jail sentence [read more].
Significantly, Poroshenko's businesses in Russia has been targeted, as Moscow applied pressure to counter Ukraine's drive towards the West [read more]. But in spite of his difficult relations with Moscow, analysts see Poroshenko as a pragmatic leader capable of mending ties with Russia.
The question remains to what extent Ukrainians will be able to vote in Eastern Ukraine and whether Russia will recognise the legitimacy of the elections.
In an apparent gesture to the West, Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered military forces to return to their permanent bases after drills in three regions bordering Ukraine, the Kremlin said yesterday (19 May). A NATO military officer said the alliance had seen no sign of the Russian troops returning to their bases. Putin had made a similar statement on 7 May, with little effect on the ground.
In another conciliatory sign, Putin welcomed what the Kremlin said were initial contacts between the Ukrainian government and "supporters of federalisation" who want more power for largely Russian-speaking regions in eastern Ukraine. Russia wants Kyiv to speak directly to the separatists.
Following the election of a new president, Ukraine will have to prepare for constitutional reform, curtailing some powers of the head of state and giving more autonomy to the regions. A recent visit by the current Prime Minister Arseny Yatsenyuk revealed however that Kyiv opposes 'federalisation' – an idea pushed by Russia and the separatists – which they fear would lead to too-great autonomy and weaken the grip of the central government [read more].
According to a recent paper by the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs, an organisation created by the United States government, conditions are favourable for holding democratic elections in most of Ukraine, except for the Donetsk and Luhansk regions. They last week held referendums on self-rule, which were not recognised by the West [read more]. Elections will not be held in Crimea, which was illegally annexed by Russia last March [read more].
According to Ukraine's election law, no minimum voter turnout is required. The outcome is based on all polling station results that are considered valid. Invalidated precinct protocols are not taken into account. The exclusion from the presidential election of voters from Crimea or other regions would not in itself raise questions about the legitimacy of the process, the US institute writes.
But the elections could be scuppered by a wrong move by the Kyiv authorities themselves.
Reportedly, acting Ukrainian President Oleksandr Turchynov has asked the Justice Ministry to evaluate evidence of illegal activities by the Ukrainian Communist Party and to consider banning it.
According to the presidential website, the country's security service has documented the party's role in the separatist movements in the east and determined that several party members have acted "to the detriment" of Ukraine's interests.
But Ukraine observers are wondering whether this is the right moment to raise this question.
The crisis in Ukraine erupted after its former President Viktor Yanukovich cancelled plans to sign trade and political pacts with the EU in November 2013 and instead sought closer ties with Russia, triggering protests that turned bloody and drove him from power.
Moscow annexed Crimea in March following a referendum staged after Russian forces established control over the Black Sea peninsula in the biggest East-West crisis since the Cold War.
Pro-Russian militants control buildings in more than 10 towns in eastern Ukraine after launching their uprising on 6 April. On 11 May pro-Moscow rebels declared a resounding victory in a referendum in Donetsk, which the West called illegal and illegitimate.
NGOs and think-tanks
National Democratic Institute: Environment favourable for a democratic election in most of Ukraine
New York Times: Front-runner in Ukraine election may be shifting Putin's stance
The Moscow Times: Poroshenko could win Ukraine election in first round, poll says
Voice of Russia: Ukrainian presidential elections in Donetsk are impossible: local governor
RFE/RL: Kyiv's bid to ban communist party could provoke 'radical opposition'
LSE comments: Petro Poroshenko is likely to win the Ukrainian presidential election


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text:
For Santa Anita's low-paid workers, horse deaths bring pain and fears about the future
A backstretch worker cleans stables run by trainer Hector Palma at Santa Anita Park.
(Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times)
By Alejandra Reyes-Velarde,
Hailey Branson-Potts
Dagoberto Lopez begins each workday at Santa Anita Park at 4:30 a.m., checking on the five horses under his care: War Beast, Of Good Report, Carnivorous, Kissable U and Juggles.
He checks their temperature. He makes sure they've had enough to eat. He gives them sponge baths. On race days, he braids their hair and talks to them, hoping they're not nervous.
"They're like another child for us," said Lopez, a 63-year-old groom from Cudahy who has worked at the racetrack for 35 years. "They're like humans. They just don't talk."
A steady beat of horse deaths at Santa Anita — 29 since the start of the race season Dec. 26 — has animal rights activists and politicians calling for the suspension of racing at the track. Gov. Gavin Newsom said last week that he was troubled by the fatalities and "enough is enough."
But many of the roughly 1,500 humble backstretch workers like Lopez who labor behind the scenes — grooms, trainers, exercise riders and stable cleaners — say powerful people and the media are talking over them, unconcerned about their fate.
Among the employees, mostly low-wage Latinos, there is a growing sense of being an invisible underclass in the sport of kings.
On Thursday, with a June gloom haze hugging the San Gabriel Mountains behind them, dozens of backstretch workers and their families held a news conference at Clockers' Corner, a dining patio beside the track, in an attempt to make their voices heard.
They held handmade signs behind a podium:
"We love our horses. We love our jobs," one read.
"Soy madre soltera. Necesito mi trabajo," read another. I am a single mother. I need my job.
Rigoberto Cevilla, an exercise rider, outside Hector Palma's stables at Santa Anita Park.
From the podium, Arnie Lopez, a deacon who hosts Bible studies at Santa Anita and helps employees apply for U.S. citizenship, sprinkled holy water on the workers and said a quick prayer: "God, we give thanks for our jobs and the love we feel for our horses. Please don't let something bad happen to our track."
On Thursday, backstretch workers said they feel like the track has been vilified by journalists, politicians and animal welfare groups such as People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. But few people, they said, talk to them.
Their biggest fear is that the track will be shut down permanently amid the controversy. Two other major California racetracks have been shuttered in recent years to make way for new development. Hollywood Park in Inglewood closed in 2013 after operating for 75 years, and Bay Meadows in San Mateo closed in 2008 after 74 seasons.
Ricky Ajarie, an exercise rider at Santa Anita, said there would be few options for backstretch workers if the track closes, especially those with specialized training.
"We'd be homeless," Ajarie said. "We'd have to get a tent and get in line, because where are we going to go? That's what's going to happen. PETA doesn't think about that."
Amid the spate of horse deaths this season, the track temporarily closed in March. But high-profile calls to shut down for the rest of the season have been resisted by the park's owners, the Stronach Group, an Ontario, Canada-based real estate company led by a former member of the Canadian Parliament.
Last week, in an unprecedented move, the California Horse Racing Board, a state regulatory agency, asked Santa Anita to cancel the remainder of its season, which ends Sunday. The Stronach Group refused.
State regulators do not have the power to suspend a race meet or remove race dates without approval of the track unless they schedule a meeting with a 10-day notification period and publish an agenda, among other procedural hurdles. The Los Angeles County district attorney's office is investigating the horse deaths.
The racetrack this season has implemented several reforms, and owners announced last week that a five-person panel will evaluate every horse before it competes.
On Thursday, Kathy Guillermo, senior vice president for PETA, said in a statement that "backstretch workers have very little chance of continuing employment if horses keep dying" and that they should support reforms.
In an interview with the Los Angeles Times, she said she was sympathetic to their fears.
"We understand they're concerned for their jobs," Guillermo said. "I think that concern is legitimate. I think they might be seeing the people concerned about the deaths as the enemy, and I hope that's not the case."
Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), who has called for racing to be suspended amid the spate of deaths, said in a statement Thursday that "the goal is not to close the park, but rather to provide time for reforms to be enacted that will prevent more horse deaths."
In a statement, the Stronach Group said the "backstretch workers comprise the backbone of Santa Anita Park" and have been "a willing partner" in implementing reforms.
Eliseo Sanchez and Terry Tyler wash River Girl, offspring of Triple Crown winner American Pharoah.
With its Art Deco architecture and the nickname "The Great Race Place," Santa Anita Park is a temple in the sport of horse racing and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. During World War II, it was a temporary internment center for some 20,000 Japanese-Americans who lived in the stables and barracks in the parking lot.
Today, many lower-level backstretch workers at Santa Anita make about minimum wage and live in the stables, rent-free, so they can work around the clock.
On Thursday morning, the Santa Anita stalls overseen by trainer Hector Palma buzzed with activity. A horse covered in a heat-therapy blanket munched on hay while another stuck its head out of the stables, its legs wrapped with cooling bands. Nearby, two workers bathed a horse, with one man washing its tail with soap and another running his fingers through the animal's mane.
Palma, an 82-year-old trainer, began working at a Mexico City racetrack at 13 and came to the U.S. in 1959 to work in American stables, where the pay was better.
Palma struggled for more than 10 years as an immigrant living in California illegally, earning very little at the tracks. He worked nearly every backstretch job, working his way up to become one of the few Latino trainers at Santa Anita. Now, he employs nearly all Latino workers and has helped at least 30 gain citizenship and work permits, he said.
Hot walker Terry Tyler walks River Girl at Santa Anita Park.
Palma worries about his employees amid the controversy and thinks the politicians and media don't understand their situation.
"They focus on the fatalities. It's the first thing they talk about," Palma said. "They never talk about the people who take care of them and love them. … There's no one who suffers more than us when a horse is injured. We take care of these horses better than some take care of a child."
Jenine Sahadi, a retired horse trainer who runs a nonprofit for backstretch workers in California, said they are hard-working people faced with a lot of uncertainty.
"There's been a level of ignorance," Sahadi said. "It's a complicated industry, and most people don't understand it. Media in general has contributed to the panic by the lack of information."
Dagoberto Lopez, who hails from Mexico, said he owes much to his job at Santa Anita. His bosses helped him earn a work permit, and last year he became a U.S. citizen. He lived at the park before starting a family, and his job helped him provide for three children.
"If it closes, we'll all have nothing," Lopez said.
Lopez said he wishes people understood how much backstretch workers love the horses. When one of the horses under his care, Goldencents, won the Santa Anita Derby and two Breeders' Cup races a few years back, he felt just as proud as when his son graduated high school.
That son, Jayro Lopez, 23, who works at Santa Anita during the summers while attending Cal State Long Beach, laughed.
His father, he said, was not exaggerating.
CaliforniaFocus
Alejandra Reyes-Velarde
11 hurt in roof collapse at Gardena casino
Officials are investigating after a roof collapsed at a Gardena casino Monday morning, injuring 11 people, the Los Angeles County Fire Department said.
18-year-old dies in off-road accident at Oceano Dunes, the 6th death there this year
A Sacramento area man has died after crashing his motorcycle while off-roading at Oceano Dunes Vehicular Recreation Area, park officials said.
Great white shark pulls fishing boat around San Francisco Bay
Sportfishing customers had a whopper of a fish tale after hooking a great white shark off Alcatraz Island on Saturday.
Hot weather and bad air start off the week for Southern California
Southern Californians are getting a muggy start to the week as high temperatures are expected to peak Monday, prompting poor air quality advisories from health officials.
Orthodox Jewish chicken-killing ritual draws protests
In a parking lot behind a Pico Boulevard building, inside a makeshift tent of metal poles and tarps, a man in a white coat and black skullcap grabs a white-feathered hen under the wings and performs an ancient ritual.
Refugee mothers separated at border to sue Trump administration for $3 million each
Some immigrants seeking asylum are part of a novel legal strategy to seek redress for being separated from their families at the border. They are suing the US for emotional distress.
People cried when Yosemite restored historic names like the Ahwahnee. Here's why
Here's why it's such a big deal that the public is getting back the names of Ahwahnee Hotel, Curry Village and other historic landmarks at Yosemite.
Earthquake: 4.2 quake strikes near Ridgecrest, Calif.
A magnitude 4.2 earthquake was reported Tuesday evening at 7:29 p.m.
A Manson murder house is for sale. That's a challenge, especially this year
Almost 50 years ago, this house was the site of notorious Manson family murders. Now it is for sale. The real estate agent thinks he can make the sale.
California doesn't have enough doctors. To recruit them, the state is paying off medical school debt
Facing a massive shortage of doctors, California is stepping up recruitment and training programs for healthcare providers. But is it enough?
Trump's new asylum rule strands Central American migrants in Tijuana
There was confusion on Monday among northbound migrants in Tijuana, following the Trump administration's latest effort to ban virtually all foreigners from filing for asylum in the United States.
Man shot after hitting L.A. Unified officer with vehicle, police say
A Los Angeles Unified School District police officer shot a man in South Los Angeles on Monday after the man struck the officer with his vehicle, authorities said.
Yosemite to restore names to historic attractions under $12-million settlement
The Majestic Yosemite can be called the Ahwahnee Hotel again.
For children of immigrants like me, 'go back' is a familiar racist taunt
I had just published a story on Sikhs who'd been attacked after being mistaken for Muslims, when the email popped into my inbox.
Rose Greene, L.A.'s early-day champion of LGBTQ rights, has died
Rose Greene, a petite but mighty LGBTQ advocate who oversaw the creation and launch of one of the country's largest HIV/AIDS fundraising events — a 545-mile bike ride along the coast of California that became a national model and a lasting symbol of unity, has died.
1 killed, 15 injured in huge explosion at Murrieta neighborhood
A gas company worker was killed and 15 people were hurt in a large explosion that rocked a Murrieta neighborhood Monday.


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The cushions are made of multi-density foam for plush comfort and firm support. Thick, resilient foam pillows rest on top of the frame and provide the kind of sumptuousness comfort found only in the finest overstuffed conventional chairs. The leather is hand-selected, expertly sewn and piped. All lines are clean, straight, and precise. This piece boasts incredible quality, style and comfort at an unbelievable price. Matching sofa and loveseat are available, too.


Neither sanctions nor persistently low oil prices are hindering Russia's ambitions or plans to develop oil resources in its sections of the Arctic.
In April, state-controlled oil giant Rosneft started drilling the northernmost well on the Russian Arctic shelf in the Khatangsky license area in the Laptev Sea. In June, Rosneft struck first oil in the Eastern Arctic in this license.
Earlier this month, the oil firm said that recoverable reserves at the field exceed 80 million tons of oil, which is equal to around 586.4 million barrels. Geological data point to reserves at the field at 298 million tons of oil, or some 2.184 billion barrels, and the oil is high quality — light and low-sulfur, according to Rosneft.
The Russian oil giant — whose CEO Igor Sechin is a close ally of Vladimir Putin — continues to drill at the field to study its geology, search for more oil, and define future drilling strategies at the license, Rosneft says.
Rosneft and Gazprom's oil unit Gazprom Neft are the only two companies allowed to drill in the Arctic offshore under Russia's legislation.
Gazprom Neft operates the only oil-producing platform in Russia's Arctic currently. The Prirazlomnoye oil field in the Pechora Sea started pumping oil back in late 2013. The field is estimated to hold 70 million tons of oil, or 513 million barrels, with annual production averaging 5.5 million tons (40.3 million barrels) at full capacity.
More: Analysis: Are combustion engines reaching peak demand?
Rosneft also plans to resume drilling in the Barents Sea next year and in the Kara Sea within two years, thus committing itself to conduct drilling works across the entire Russian section of the Arctic.
Rosneft holds 28 licenses in the Russian Arctic shelf that are estimated to have combined reserves of 34 billion tons of oil equivalent, or 249.22 billion barrels. Since 2012, Rosneft has invested $1.74 billion in Arctic exploration, and will invest in 2017-2021 another $4.354 billion.
Russia, for its part, has stated that Arctic oil and Arctic development are priorities in its policies, and is supporting development with financing in a kind of political message that sanctions won't deter its Arctic oil ambitions.
The U.S. Treasury sanctions list from 2014 prohibits the exports of goods, services (not including financial services), or technology in support of exploration or production for Russian deepwater, Arctic offshore, or shale projects that have the potential to produce oil.
While Western banks are still evaluating the potential impact of the latest round of U.S. sanctions on Russia from this summer, Moscow is committing funds to Arctic development. At the end of August, Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said that Russia will finance the development of the Arctic continental shelf and the economy of the local areas with more than $2.787 billion by 2025. He said Russia's program for Arctic development rests on three pillars: boosting economic growth, developing sea infrastructure, and developing the continental shelf with modern technology and equipment.
As part of that program, in 2021-2025, the government will fund $414.5 million for a program to build oil and gas equipment and technology and industrial machinery for exploration and development in the Arctic.
According to experts cited by Rosneft, the Arctic shelf is expected to account for 20-30 percent of Russia's total oil production by 2050.
It's not clear who will need Russian Arctic oil in 2050, but in the shorter term, Russia is betting on the Arctic, and Rosneft's exploration success this year could really pay off.


June 4, 2013 - We are receiving a high number of calls from recent clients whose deeds we recently recorded and a week or two later received letters about "Deed Processing Notice" and "Property Transfer Service" from companies in California, Delaware and Washington DC asking for $85.00. This is a nationwide scam (read one of several web articles here). In short, these companies watch for recently recorded deeds on Arizona county recorder websites and send these letters.
After preparing and recording your new deed, the transfer of your home into your living trust was completed by us and we mailed you the original deed. Nothing further is required for the transfer (aside from a quick call to your homeowner's insurance letting them know about the trust). If another copy is needed, a certified copy can be purchased from your county recorder office for approximately $10.00. Contact us with any questions or concerns: (480) 229-6220.
Sadly, individuals and businesses take advantage of Arizona residents, especially seniors, via estate planning. Some businesses sell estate planning kits promising benefits which do not exist. Other times, the documents themselves are satisfactory but the business uses estate planning as a means to sell various financial products with an emphasis on annuities.
Annuities can be a useful planning tool when applied properly by licensed financial advisors but some types of annuities do not require a financial planning license - only a life insurance license. Certain types of annuities guarantee no loss of return but they typically commit your money to long periods of time, have high surrender charge and generate large commissions for the agent selling the life insurance.
Also be aware of "Veteran's Advisors" who scam elder veterans into to purchasing unnecessary Annuities that pay large commissions. Sometimes annuities can make sense, but they are never the first choice when planning for VA Benefits. These annuities can even ruin the applicant's eligibility for other more valuable benefits. Read more.
Check a business' standing with the BBB, state agencies and ask for references. If something is recommended to you that leaves you with doubts or a feeling of too-good-to-be-true, seek a second opinion.
Here is a link to the Arizona Attorney General website regarding living trust scams. If you think you have been misinformed about living trusts, contact the Office of the Arizona Attorney General Fraud Line at (602) 542-5763.
Here is a link to the Arizona State Bar website with helpful tips.


Pedals n Pints brought in their third crazy contraption for me to work on....the COBI bike.
This is a 6-person powered pedal bike.....technically 7 if you could the driver.
This badboy can actually rip if you get enough people on it....not so much if it's just you trying to move it around the shop!
They've had this bike for a little under a year and it barely had any lighting and no audio....that needed to change.
The Front lighting consisted of 2 small H1 powered halogen bulbs in tiny reflector pods and the rear brake lights 'used' to be T20 powered housing...until they stopped working....so when it showed up they had 2 handheld flashlights duct taped to the sides of the bike......obviously not Trax Customs standard!!
So, i just happened to have the perfect LED modules to retrofit the front headlight housings.....I used my Morimoto DRL.1 modules and they fit with relative ease and looked as if they belonged....then I used my Morimoto DRL.5 module for a lower center light for some foreground illumination.
I retrofitted the 2 existing locations with the pods and then mounted a 3rd center pod lower by the rear wheels....they are blindingly bright....so...you're welcome if you're ever behind this thing...because your retinas will hate you!
I custom soldered up a 6-circuit 16' 'web' of codeable/controllable LED lighting that lights up the entire underside of this twisted metal mobile sculpture...and it's all controllable via a wireless remote.....it's not 100% noticeable as the 2 other bike bars....but i didn't want the LEDs to be seen....I just wanted the 'glow' to be present....which is achieved.....I saw this thing downtown a week or so later and it pops!.
The Orange bike bar had a Wetsounds sound bar installed before I got my hands on it....which I swiftly removed without prejudice.....but saved it because I knew we'd possibly be reusing it!
So it came time to add audio to the bike......luckily the wetsounds bar is the 20" version...so it BARELY fit between the drivers legs....which provides easy control over the sound controls...which is perfect!
All of this needed to be powered...so I fabricated a nice little removable battery rack and installed the biggest battery possible without impeding on the pedalers cycling motions. So far so good from the owner...they've said the system will run a few tours without a charge needed....so that's as good as could be expected when doing a hybrid system like this without having hardly any room to mount anything.
Had a pretty interesting project another dealership brought me.
Having an acknowledgment light on the inside is KEY when you do anything RGB or NeoPrism related....as you can't see what your headlights are doing....this way, the owner can simply look at his Vent and he'll know what his headlights are doing....pretty trick, and you wouldn't be able to tell anything was added when the lights are off.
These ones turned out pretty sick!
One of the local dealerships brought in yet another set of Sierra Headlights.....this time I wanted to try something a bit different......so we went Neo......Neo-Prism that is.
Triple Demon Eyes is what I like to call these....they accent the upper and lower DRL areas as well as the Projector lens.
Pretty trippy seeing these guys doing their thing.


The president of the Maldives Abdulla Yameen's has declared a state of emergency, citing a threat to citizens' safety and national security, following widespread international condemnation and concerns about its impact on the country's crucial tourism industry, the government said. Maldives has declared State of Emergency for 30 days as per Article 253 of the Constitution citing threat to national security. The government said a curfew would not be imposed.
The state of emergency was limited to 30 days only and Abdulla Yameen's decree, which came into effect at midday local time (0700 GMT), suspends all basic rights and gives the security forces sweeping powers to arrest suspects before a major anti-government rally planned later this week. Seven articles of the constitution have been suspended, including those guaranteeing citizens of the Indian Ocean island nation the rights of assembly, free expression, freedom from arbitrary detention and freedom of movement.
Under the emergency regulations, police are allowed to enter and search homes without a warrant, and the rights to assemble peacefully and travel between the many islands of the archipelago nation were suspended. Soldiers in riot gear surrounded the parliament building in the capital Male on Sunday soon after the opposition petitioned parliament to remove the South Asian island's attorney-general and its chief prosecutor.
The Maldives has suffered acute political instability for several years, but a new cycle of chaos and unrest appears to be intensifying. "President Yameen has declared state of emergency to ensure the safety and security of every citizen," his spokesman Muaz Ali tweeted. In a statement to the nation, Yameen, who took power in a contested election in 2013, said there were groups planning to use weapons and explosives. "My beloved citizens, I assure you, that in enforcing this decree, the rights and freedoms stated in the constitution will only be restricted within the limits of … the constitution, and only to the extent strictly required by the situation," Yameen said.
The move comes at a time of heightened tensions following an explosion on Yameen's speedboat on 28 September that wounded his wife and two others. Yameen was unharmed in the blast, and the FBI has said there is no evidence it was caused by a bomb. But the authorities say it was an attempt on his life. Yameen arrested the vice-president, Ahmed Adeeb, on 24 October after accusing him of "high treason" and linking him to the boat blast.
Legal Affairs Minister Azima Shakoor made the emergency announcement on Monday on state television, and a statement attributed to President Abdulla Yameen was posted on the ministry of foreign affairs website. "The government of Maldives wishes to also assure all Maldivians and the international community that the safety of all Maldivians and foreigners living in and visiting the Maldives will be ensured," the statement said.
The Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) said it had found a remote-controlled bomb near the president's official residence and safely defused it. Officials on Wednesday said several discoveries of arms and explosives had been made, though the whereabouts of other weapons and ammunition missing from state armouries remained unknown.
Further searches were under way on Wednesday evening, with local media reporting that at least one suspected explosive device had been found. "The purpose of today's announcement is to send a clear message. Those who seek to cause harm and unrest through violence – whether their aims are political, religious or otherwise – have no place in our country. We are a young, vibrant democracy and will do all we can to uphold those values," said Maumoon.
The government declared the state emergency after refusing on Monday to implement a ruling that has led to a wave of protests in the capital, Malé, with angry clashes between police and demonstrators. The president, Abdulla Yameen, has responded by dispatching soldiers to surround the parliament building, preventing MPs from meeting. He also called a noisy rally of his supporters.
The Supreme Court ordered Yameen on Thursday to free nine dissidents, ruling that their trials were politically motivated and flawed. The court also called on the president to reinstate opposition MPs. But the government refused to implement it and declared the emergency.
The Maldives Supreme Court has hit back at President Abdulla Yameen's refusal to free his jailed opponents amid an escalating crisis that saw security forces seal off the country's parliament and arrest two opposition lawmakers on Sunday. Judges of the top court said there should be "no legal barrier" to releasing the nine people, including the island nation's exiled former president Mohamed Nasheed, whose terrorism and corruption convictions it overturned last week.
Their statement came after Attorney-General Mohamed Anil raised concerns about freeing people convicted of "terrorism, bomb attacks, corruption, embezzlement and fraud".
The sudden about face by the Supreme Court, which sided with Yameen in the past, and the widespread international support for its verdict puts unprecedented pressure on the president to free his opponents ahead of a presidential election later this year.
The government accused the Supreme Court of trying to oust the president, a claim judges did not respond to in their statement late on Sunday.
Earlier in the day, the attorney general, in a televised appearance flanked by the chiefs of the army and the police, said the government has received news of an imminent order by the Supreme Court to impeach Yameen. "I have informed all law enforcement agencies they must not obey such an illegal order," Mohamed Anil said. Ahmed Shiyam, the army chief, said the security forces would follow the attorney-general's advice and "will not wait and watch as the Maldives descends into crisis".
The opposition called Anil's order to the security forces "unconstitutional, highly illegal, and dangerous" and petitioned parliament to oust Anil, as well as the country's chief prosecutor. Shortly afterwards, soldiers surrounded the parliament building and sealed it off.
The island nation emerged a decade ago from a long spell of 30 years of authoritarian rule under President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom. His successor Mohamed Nasheed, elected in 2008, presided over a brief flourishing of multiparty democracy before being controversially ousted five years later.
Since then Yameen has stifled dissent and imprisoned members of the opposition. Rights groups have accused Yameen of using new laws and criminal cases to silence critics and to neutralise his opponents. On Monday the government made clear it had no intention of respecting the supreme court's decision. The legal affairs minister, Azima Shakoor, said the ruling was not enforceable, adding that there were numerous challenges to freeing prisoners.
Yameen's main rival, Nasheed, described events taking place in the country as "tantamount to a coup". He tweeted that Yameen should resign and said the security services "must uphold the constitution and serve the Maldivian people".
Nasheed is in Sri Lanka. He has been living in the UK since 2016 after being given asylum when he travelled there on medical leave from prison.
Dunya Maumoon, the foreign minister, described the measures as "precautionary action by the government in light of several security threats that have emerged in the last week". "As a government we have a responsibility to our citizens to ensure they can go about their daily lives in peace and security. We are determined to root out a small minority who seem intent on causing damage to people and property," she said. On Wednesday the streets of Malé, the capital, were quiet, but soldiers had cordoned off water and power plants. Residents said raids were continuing.
The main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), whose leader Mohamed Nasheed is in jail following his conviction earlier this year under anti-terror laws, has organised the protest. Nasheed left power in 2012 amid protests, forced out by what his supporters claim was a coup. Nasheed called on the international community to consider introducing sanctions against the current government. He also appealed to tourists travelling to the Maldives to reconsider their views on the popular holiday destination. "It is good and necessary to have a relaxing holiday but important they understand what is happening here too," he said.
The incarceration of Nasheed, who was convicted on charges of using the military to arrest a senior judge when in office, has been severely criticised by the UN and international rights groups.
The British high commissioner to Sri Lanka and the Maldives, James Dauris, said he was "most concerned by restrictions on fundamental rights and freedoms in the Maldives from today". Thoriq Hamid, from the NGO Transparency Maldives, said his organisation was "extremely … concerned that the situation has escalated to this point". The Australian government last week told its citizens to exercise a "high degree of caution" while travelling to Malé, "due to the possibility of civil unrest and the threat of terrorist attacks".
The MDP rally was aimed at pressuring Yameen to release Nasheed, the first democratically elected leader of the country and an internationally recognised climate change campaigner. Eva Abdulla, an MDP member of parliament, said the rally would proceed as planned. "We saw this coming. Everything has been leading up to this. This is the last straw – the only straw – left for Yameen. He has totally lost grip on governance. He doesn't have the public with him and any control is based on fear and intimidation," she said.
There are growing fears of Islamic extremism in the Maldives, fuelled in part by the political instability since the departure from power of autocratic ruler Maumoon Abdul Gayoom in 2008.The government has put him under house arrest. The government has warned media outlets their licences will be suspended "if broadcasts threaten national security".
Junayd Mohamed, a journalist with the Maldives Independent, told Al Jazeera he also heard reports that riot police and military officials were inside the court. He said they set up barricades to block off the area, but protesters were rallying outside. "Hundreds of people [are] gathered outside who are calling on the security forces to arrest President Yameen and protect the Supreme Court," Mohamed said.
Opposition members of parliament urged foreign intervention after the government ignored the Supreme Court ruling. The opposition now has a majority in the 85-member house as the court ruling also reinstated 12 members of parliament who were stripped of their seats last year. But two of the 12 were arrested at the airport on Sunday, shortly after they returned to the Maldives after spending months in exile.
In a resolution signed in the capital Male on Sunday, opposition MPs called on the international community "to impress upon the government of Maldives the need to respect the rule of law, and implement last Thursday's Supreme Court ruling that ordered the release of political leaders and the reinstatement of 12 opposition MPs". They also called for "all necessary measures … to hold government officials accountable for violations of national and international law". Tensions "could escalate to civil unrest and incite violence across the country", they warned.
The United Nations, European Union, and several foreign governments – including India, the USA and UK – have urged Yameen to comply with the Supreme Court's order. The government has accused the court of trying to oust the president, a claim judges have not responded to. The United States urged government restraint on Monday. "The Maldivian government and military must respect the rule of law, freedom of expression, and democratic institutions. The world is watching," the White House National Security Council said in a Twitter post.
Rights group Amnesty International denounced the government's "appalling track-record of suppressing freedom of expression and any form of opposition". "This emergency cannot become a licence for further repression," Omar Waraich, the group's deputy South Asia director, said on Twitter.
The opposition now has a majority in the 85-member house as the Supreme Court ruling also reinstated 12 members of parliament who were stripped of their seats last year. But two of the 12 were arrested at the airport on Sunday, shortly after they returned to the Maldives after spending months in exile. Abdulla Sinan and Ilham Ahmed were detained on charges of bribery, a police spokesman told Al Jazeera.
Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, an opposition parliamentarian, condemned their arrest in a statement. "We call on the police to release the MPs immediately, and to stop following unlawful orders, to stop obstructing the lawful mandate of parliamentarians," Solih said. "In a desperate attempt to cling onto power, President Yameen has illegally overrun the state. His attorney-general has illegally assumed the powers of the apex court, while the military has overrun the legislature," he added.
On Sunday night, hundreds of flag-waving opposition supporters took to the streets of the capital Male calling on the government to abide by the court ruling.
Meanwhile, the official who heads the parliament's secretariat resigned after the speaker, a Yameen ally, cancelled the opening of the parliament, scheduled for Tuesday, over unspecified "security concerns". "I have stepped down," Ahmed Mohamed told Al Jazeera on Sunday, without offering further details. The heads of the Maldives' main high-security prison and the elections commission have also quit in recent days.
Nasheed, speaking to a private television channel from neighbouring Sri Lanka on Sunday, called for protests and urged rank-and-file members of the security forces to arrest the attorney-general as well as the chiefs of the army and police.
Maldives is a tourist's paradise. It is not clear how much of an impact the state of emergency has had on the tourism industry in the Maldives, which is best known for its luxury tourist resorts.
The US State Department on Tuesday also welcomed the lifting of the state of emergency. Washington had been critical of its imposition, and has called for an end to politically motivated prosecutions and detentions.
The Maldives has had a difficult transition to democracy since holding its first multiparty election in 2008. The state of emergency has been declared in Maldives amid a deepening political crisis sparked by a Supreme Court ruling that called for the release of imprisoned opposition politicians.
President Yameen has been in office since 2013. He had been set to run for re-election this year almost unopposed, with all of his opponents either jailed or exiled. Lawmakers voted Vice President Ahmed Adeeb out of office using the regulations. Authorities suspect that Adeeb was behind the alleged attempts on Gayoom's life, and he has been arrested and detained. Gayoom was not hurt in the September 28 blast aboard his boat, but his wife, an aide and a bodyguard was injured.
The Maldives' economy has faltered in recent years and the country suffers from overcrowding, high unemployment rates and substance abuse. The declaration of a state of emergency comes amid a bitter power struggle between the president and Adeeb, with factions within the police and army supporting different political players. The dispute has weakened the government at a time of growing popular anger over the continuing detention of Nasheed and economic problems.
Police has started investigations into Supreme Court judges and officials since the ruling, and have said that they now plan to question Gayoom in a separate case. On Monday, the health minister, Hussain Rasheed Ahmed, quit in protest against the government's attitude towards its highest court.
The continuing political instability in the Maldives is likely to damage its vital tourist trade, a key employer and earner of foreign exchange. Every year more than a million tourists visit the Maldives, an almost exclusively Sunni Muslim nation composed of 1,192 small coral islands, with a population of 340,000.
White sandy beaches, turquoise waters, shallow lagoons and secluded islets draw holidaymakers from all over the developed world as well as celebrities seeking privacy. Officials said there was no threat to resort security and the Maldives remained a safe destination for international visitors.


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All About Damian
Blog: Fan Fun with Damian Lewis
Helen McCrory Legacy Site
Damian Lewis
"actor, dad, redhead and ping pong champion"
Categories Charity Host Philanthropy TV/Film Projects
Virtual Q&A Conversation for 92Y – Jan 24, 2021
Posted On January 24, 2021 Written By Gingersnap Comments Off on Virtual Q&A Conversation for 92Y – Jan 24, 2021
The Reason I Jump
by Gingersnap | damian-lewis.com | January 24, 2021
At the age of 13, Naoki Higashida wrote The Reason I Jump, about his experience as a nonspeaking autistic child
Now, director Jerry Rothwell has adapted Higashida's book into an award-winning documentary – an immersive cinematic exploration of neurodiversity through the experiences of nonspeaking autistic people from around the world. The film blends Higashida's revelatory insights into autism with intimate portraits of five remarkable young people. It opens a window for audiences into an intense and overwhelming, but often joyful, sensory universe.
Director Jerry Rothwell, author David Mitchell (Cloud Atlas), who co-translated Higashida's book, and producer Stevie Lee join actor Damian Lewis (Homeland, Billions) for an illuminating conversation about the making of this extraordinary film.
Online Event – Monday, January 25, 2021 at 8:00 pm ET – ticket are $10.00 – buy tickets here
92Y needs your help. They are facing tremendous financial losses due to COVID-19. Your ticket purchase helps sustain their beloved institution and supports the creation of new, online programming that will bring comfort and inspiration to their community. Please consider donating today here.
Tags 92Y autism Damian Lewis David Mitchell Jerry Rothwell Naoki Higashida Stevie Lee The Reason I Jump
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Fan Fun with Damian Lewis is thrilled to run Damian-Lewis.com, a fan site dedicated to the brilliant actor Damian Lewis. As we keep writing all about Damian on Fan Fun, we aim to share the latest news along with an extensive gallery and a comprehensive media archive here.
We cannot express our gratitude enough to all those who poured their hearts and souls into the site over the years. We will do our best to preserve their legacy and keep up the good work.
As Damian once said "best journeys are shared." It is a true privilege to share this journey with you. We hope you enjoy both sites, come visit us often and spread the word!
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First Look: A Spy Among Friends
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A Spy Among Friends - Fall 2022 on Spectrum US and Britbox UK
Nicholas Elliot
Currently Filming in London and Romania
Cold War espionage thriller follows the defection of notorious British intelligence officer and KGB double agent, Kim Philby (Guy Pearce) through the lens of his complex relationship with MI6 colleague and close friend, Nicholas Elliott (Damian Lewis). The six episode limited series will be available to stream on BritBox. Damian's production company Ginger Biscuit Entertainment Ltd. to co-produce.
Dream Horse - September 4, 2020
Howard Davies, Tax Advisor
In theaters; buy DVD; streaming
Based on a true story of how against all the odds, an extraordinary woman and a champion racehorse named Dream Alliance, inspire an entire Welsh community to go on the ride of a lifetime and rediscover a sense of hope. A classic tale of triumph against adversity. Based on the documentary Dark Horse.
Spy Wars with Damian Lewis - March 22, 2020
Host Reporter/Presenter
History Channel UK & Smithsonian Channel US
Host Damian Lewis invites you into the world of clandestine ops as he examines some of the modern era's most remarkable intelligence and security missions. Through declassified items and firsthand accounts from high-ranking officials at the FBI, CIA, KGB, and MI6, he reveals stories of daring escapes, thrilling rescues, notorious spy swaps, espionage, and undercover stings, featuring a cast of double agents, moles, heroes, and traitors. The 8-part docudrama series first aired in 2019 on History Channel UK in 2019, then Smithsonian Channel US and Canada in 2020. Available for iTunes download. Spy Wars was shot on location in Moscow, Israel and London.
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Neighbors at odds with history buff for flying Confederate flag in his backyard
PALOS VERDES ESTATES, California -- Joe Ryan says he just wanted to honor the Confederates.
The Civil War historian is drawing ire from his neighbors after he decided to fly the Confederate flag on the Fourth of July.
Ryan told KCAL-TV the flag is similar to one that young Americans on the Union battle line at Gettysburg would have carried during Independence Day.
Historic or not, his neighbors say they don't want to see it in their community.
While Ryan admits the Civil War is complicated, he said he wanted to raise the flag as a reminder of America's past as well as the racial history of our country, still being written today.
"We're not facing our racism, let me put it to you that way," he said. "We're pretending like the problem is solved."
The flag has been used in the battle to keep slavery, in the 1950s and 1960s to support segregation, and much more.
Cindy Dunbar said she was uncomfortable when she saw Ryan's flag flapping in his backyard.
"I'm not sure that a flag flying offers that much in terms of enlightening all of us. Instead, it feels distasteful," said Cindy Dunbar. "The Confederate flag, to me, is representative of a painful and hateful time in our society, one that I do not want to want to look to the past for, but one I want move past."
City officials are considering the issue, but Ryan has since taken the flag down.
He says, however, his right to fly the flag is well within his First Amendment rights.
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text:
BSA/AML Manual
Core Examination Procedures for Regulatory Requirements and Related Topics
Objective. Assess the financial institution's compliance with the statutory and regulatory requirements for the "Special Information Sharing Procedures to Deter Money Laundering and Terrorist Activity" (section 314 Information Requests).
Information Sharing Between Law Enforcement and Financial Institutions (Section 314(a))
1.	Verify that the financial institution is currently receiving section 314(a) requests from FinCEN or from an affiliated financial institution that serves as the subject financial institution's point of contact. If the financial institution is not receiving information requests or contact information changes, the financial institution should update its contact information with its primary regulator in accordance with the instructions at www.fincen.gov.
2.	Verify that the financial institution has sufficient policies, procedures, and processes to document compliance; maintain sufficient internal controls; provide ongoing training; and independently test its compliance with 31 CFR 1010.520, which implements section 314(a) of the USA PATRIOT Act. At a minimum, the procedures should accomplish the following:
Designate a point of contact for receiving information requests.
Ensure that the confidentiality of requested information is safeguarded.
Establish a process for responding to FinCEN's requests.
Establish a process for determining if and when a SAR should be filed.
3.	Determine whether the search policies, procedures, and processes the financial institution uses to respond to section 314(a) requests are comprehensive and cover all records identified in the General Instructions for such requests. The General Instructions include searching accounts maintained by the named subject during the preceding 12 months and transactions conducted within the last six months. Financial institutions have 14 days from the transmission date of the request to respond to a section 314(a) Subject Information Form.
4.	If the financial institution uses a third-party vendor to perform or facilitate searches, determine whether an agreement or procedures are in place to ensure confidentiality.
5.	Review the financial institution's internal controls and determine whether its documentation to evidence compliance with section 314(a) requests is adequate. This documentation could include, for example the following:
Copies of section 314(a) requests.
A log that records the tracking numbers and includes a sign-off column.
Copies of SISS-generated search self-verification documents.
If appropriate, request documentation from FinCEN regarding the bank's history of accessing the SISS.
For positive matches, copies of the form returned to FinCEN (e.g., SISS-generated Subject Response Lists) and the supporting documentation should be retained.
Voluntary Information Sharing (Section 314(b))
6.	Determine whether the financial institution has decided to share information voluntarily. If so, verify that the financial institution has filed a notification form with FinCEN and provides an effective date for the sharing of information that is within the previous 12 months.
7.	Verify that the financial institution has policies, procedures, and processes for sharing information and receiving shared information, as specified under 31 CFR 1010.540, (which implements section 314(b) of the USA PATRIOT Act).
8.	Financial institutions that choose to share information voluntarily should have policies, procedures, and processes to document compliance; maintain adequate internal controls; provide ongoing training; and independently test its compliance with 31 CFR 1010.540. At a minimum, the procedures should:
Designate a point of contact for receiving and providing information.
Ensure the safeguarding and confidentiality of information received and information requested.
Establish a process for sending and responding to requests, including ensuring that other parties with whom the financial institution intends to share information (including affiliates) have filed the proper notice.
Establish procedures for determining whether and when a SAR should be filed.
9.	If the financial institution is sharing information with other entities and is not following the procedures outlined in 31 CFR 1010.540(b), notify the examiners reviewing the privacy rules.
10.	Through a review of the financial institution's documentation (including account analysis) on a sample of the information shared and received, evaluate how the financial institution determined whether a SAR was warranted. The financial institution is not required to file SARs solely on the basis of information obtained through the section 314(b) voluntary information sharing process. In fact, the information obtained through the section 314(b) voluntary information sharing process may enable the financial institution to determine that no SAR is required for transactions that may have initially appeared suspicious. The financial institution should have considered account activity in determining whether a SAR was warranted.
Transaction Testing
11.	On the basis of a risk assessment, prior examination reports, and a review of the financial institution's audit findings, select a sample of positive matches or recent requests to determine whether the following requirements have been met:
The financial institution's policies, procedures, and processes enable it to search all of the records identified in the General Instructions for section 314(a) requests. Such processes may be electronic, manual, or both.
The financial institution searches appropriate records for each information request received. For positive matches:
Verify that a response was provided to FinCEN within the designated time period (31 CFR 1010.520(b)(3)(ii)).
Review the financial institution's documentation (including account analysis) to evaluate how the financial institution determined whether a SAR was warranted. Financial institutions are not required to file SARs solely on the basis of a match with a named subject; instead, account activity should be considered in determining whether a SAR is warranted.
The financial institution uses information only in the manner and for the purposes allowed and keeps information secure and confidential (31 CFR 1010.520(b)(3)(iv)). (This requirement can be verified through discussions with management.)
12.	On the basis of examination procedures completed, including transaction testing, form a conclusion about the ability of policies, procedures, and processes to meet regulatory requirements associated with information sharing.
Information Sharing Next Page >
Purchase and Sale of Monetary Instruments Recordkeeping
Customer Due Diligence (2018)
Beneficial Ownership Requirements for Legal Entity Customers (2018)
Suspicious Activity Reporting
Currency Transaction Reporting
Currency Transaction Reporting Exemptions
Funds Transfers Recordkeeping
Foreign Correspondent Account Recordkeeping, Reporting and Due Diligence
Private Banking Due Diligence Program (Non-U.S. Persons)
Special Measures
Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts Reporting
International Transportation of Currency or Monetary Instruments Reporting
Office of Foreign Assets Control


This entry was posted on Wednesday, April 6th, 2016 at 11:15 pm	and is filed under Art News, Go See, News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.


text:
img source:timesofindia.indiatimes.com
IOC is all prepared to stage the Olympics in 2021
Sportswhoop
IOC has raised their hands and commanded about the Olympics taking place in Tokyo. President Thomas Bach has also said, "We remain fully committed to celebrating Tokyo 2020 next in July and August,".
It is very obvious that the safety is first while playing in COVID and precautions will be taken while playing. The president also added saying "The first priority is above all the safety of all participants, For this reason, we are working on multiple scenarios, as we don't know the health situation one year from now."
Source:- http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/
We are eagerly waiting for the further news update, lets see how it goes!
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text:
Plunkett and Macleane
DIRECTED BY: Jake Scott
REVIEWED: 10-04-99
D: Jake Scott; with Robert Carlyle, Jonny Lee Miller, Alan Cumming, Liv Tyler, Michael Gambon, Ken Stott. (R, 102 min.)
I always worry when a film's press kit trumpets the director's grand work in the world of television commercials; it seems to me that's something you'd want to cover up, like a past flirtation with Coors Light or a passion for Judd Hirsch films. It says as much for the state of film these days as it does about the director in question, I suppose, and Jake Scott -- son of Tony, nephew of Ridley -- enters the feature film fray with all the eye-candy gusto of a Puff Daddy video. He wears his lineage on his sleeve, imbuing this tale of 18th-century highwaymen with enough dandified muck and rainy-day spatter to make Uncle Ridley's friend H.R. Giger proud. Carlyle and Miller (last seen together in Trainspotting) play Plunkett and Macleane, the former a down and (literally) dirty bandit with an ax to grind against The Man, the latter a devout social climber permanently stuck on the bottom rung. The Man, in this case, is Thief Taker General Chance (Stott), a weasely, lower-echelon climber in the service of Lord Chief Justice Gibson (Gambon). When Plunkett and Macleane find themselves thrown in London's infamous Newgate Prison together, they conceive a mutually beneficial plan to rob from the rich as a team, employing Plunkett's street savvy and Macleane's inroads to the upper classes. All of this is set to a background of muddy knickers and ample, heaving bosoms. Scott, like his forbears, steals from the best -- there are elements of everything from Bonnie and Clyde to Butch Cassidy and Sundance Kid on display here, usually to good visual effect (if not much else). Scott, too, has a knack for piling on the visual treats: a late-in-the-film shot of the gallows where the condemned dangle in the morning breeze, Plunkett and Macleane fleeing through a sewer to escape Thief Taker Chance, and the film's crashing opening -- all of these are stunning examples of cinematography, even if they don't really add much to the picture in terms of story development. That said, where Scott fails is in the picture's overall tone, which mixes period-piece derring-do with a modern score (jungle music?!) and a decidedly Nineties take on the 18th century. Plunkett and Macleane's verbal fisticuffs feel as though they were written by Quentin Tarantino after an absinthe bender; they're hip, they're happening, and they're hopelessly out of period. I know, George Roy Hill took a similar tack with the aforementioned Butch Cassidy, but this isn't George Roy Hill. It isn't even Richard Lester (helmer of 1979's Butch and Sundance: The Early Years).Carlyle, Miller, and Liv Tyler (who pops in and out whenever a pair of voluptuous lips are needed) are so firmly creatures of the our time that watching them gallivant among the wigs and bodices of 18th-century London is akin to watching Keanu Reeves doing Shakespeare (though admittedly not nearly as entertaining). Rollicking is the term that best sums up Plunkett and Macleane, not in itself a bad thing, just, I think, not a very good thing.
--Marc Savlov
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