text:
Litigation and Disputes
Bridging the Enforcement Gap?
Enforcing foreign arbitral awards in China has never been straightforward. Foreign companies have found in the past that even after winning an arbitral award in a foreign country, it may not be easy to persuade a People's Court to recognize and enforce the award against a Chinese defendant.
A foreign arbitral award is enforceable in China pursuant to the 1958 Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards (the "New York Convention") which provides for reciprocal enforcement of arbitral award in member countries. China became a member of the New York Convention in 1987.
In order to enforce a foreign arbitral award in China, the enforcing party must file an application for registration and enforcement with the Intermediate People's Court in the domicile of the party against whom the enforcement of the award is sought (the "award debtor") or in the locality where the property subject to enforcement is located. The party seeking enforcement must submit to the People's Court a written application for registration and enforcement with an original or certified copy of the arbitration agreement and the arbitral award. A translation of the documents of any documents not in Chinese is normally required. The People's Court will then review the award for procedural irregularities and then decide whether to enforce the award in accordance with the provisions of the New York Convention. Unfortunately, requiring a party to apply to the Intermediate People's Court where the award debtor is located and therefore has the strongest ties and is generally able to call upon government connections for support often leads to problems of local bias in enforcement.
Since China's accession to the New York Convention in 1987, the People's Courts have often refused to recognize and enforce foreign arbitral awards based on the various grounds provided for in the New York Convention. Specifically, Article V of the New York Convention permits a People's Court to refuse enforcement of a foreign arbitral award under the following circumstances: (i) the parties neither included an arbitration clause in their contract nor subsequently reached a written arbitration agreement; (ii) the matter decided in the award exceed the scope of the arbitration agreement or fall outside of the jurisdiction of the arbitration organization; (iii) a party against whom the application for enforcement is sought was not given proper notice of the appointment of arbitrator or the arbitration proceedings, or was unable to present its case for reasons for which they were not responsible; (iv) the arbitration tribunal's composition or the arbitration procedures used failed to conform with applicable rules or law; or (v) the award has not yet become binding on the parties or has been set aside by the court of the country that rendered the award. Additionally, a People's Court can also refuse to enforce an arbitral award if the subject matter of the underlying dispute between the parties is not capable of settlement by arbitration under the law of that country, or if the recognition or enforcement of the award would be contrary to the public policy of that country.
One of the most publicized examples of the problems facing a foreign company seeking to enforce an arbitral award in China involved Revpower, a US manufacturer of industrial batteries. In 1988, Revpower entered into a joint venture contract with Shanghai Far East Aero-Technology Import & Export Corporation ("SFAIC") to build a battery making plant. Pursuant to the terms of the contract, Revpower was to supply the parts, equipment and engineering staff to the plant and was in return required to buy a fix number of batteries from the plant at a previously agreed price. However, as a result of a price dispute between the parties, Revpower initiated arbitration proceedings against SFAIC in Stockholm in 1989. Three years later, the arbitrators rendered an award in favor of Revpower in the sum of approximately US$5 million. In 1993, Revpower applied to the Shanghai Intermediate People's Court (the "Shanghai Court") to register and enforce the award against SFAIC. It took two years for Revpower successfully to register the award with the Shanghai Court notwithstanding China's accession to the New York Convention and the existence of procedures for the registration and enforcement of awards in China. However, despite registration and subsequent diplomatic pressure, the Shanghai Court then refused to enforce the award. Ultimately, the Shanghai Court dismissed Revpower's application on the ground that SFAIC had in the interim filed for bankruptcy and that there was accordingly no assets against which the award could be enforced.
In contrast, on November 17, 1997, the Beijing Intermediate People's Court ("Beijing Court") enforced a Stockholm arbitral award totalling more than US$2 million in favor of Food Industries Planning and Servicing Ltd. of Switzerland ("FIPS").
FIPS entered into a contract with China Huayang Trading Corp. ("Huayang") for the sale and purchase of a turn-key food processing plant. As Huayang failed to make certain payments under the contract, FIPS invoked the arbitration clause under the contract and commenced ad hoc arbitration proceedings against Huayang in Stockholm. In April, 1995, the arbitrator rendered an award in favor of FIPS. FIPS filed an application for registration and enforcement of the award with the Beijing Court in September, 1995 and the Beijing Court granted the application in November, 1997. It took two years for the Beijing Court to enforce the award because the Civil Procedure Law of the PRC ("CPL") does not stipulate a time period within which an award must be enforced.
This is one of the few reported cases of successful enforcement of foreign arbitral awards in China. As there is no centralized record keeping mechanism in China, it is difficult to state with any certainty the percentage of cases that have been successfully enforced. It appears, however, that these have been limited in number.
Given China's past enforcement record, there remains considerable uncertainty concerning the extent to which the People's Courts will recognize and enforce future arbitral awards. However, because of China's emergence in the international market, China has taken measures to fulfill its obligations under the various international treaties it is a member. Specifically, the National People's Congress revised the Civil Procedure Law of the PRC in 1991 to introduce new provisions relating to enforcement of foreign arbitral awards and promulgated the Arbitration Law in 1995. By contrast, measures for enforcement of foreign judgments are severely limited. The uneven quality of Chinese courts also provides a significant disincentive to litigating in China. For this reason, notwithstanding the difficulties in enforcing arbitral awards, international arbitration still offers an attractive alternative to litigating in the People's Courts or even domestic arbitration. The Beijing Intermediate People's Court's recent enforcement of the Stockholm arbitral award gives some reason for optimism.


Hillman Carbide Tipped Drill Bit, 5/32 in. x 4-1/2 in. at Tractor Supply Co.
Hillman Carbide Tipped Drill Bit, 5/32 in. x 4-1/2 in.
Hillman Carbide Drill Bits have a carbide tip that ensures the precise drilling of pilot holes. A concrete screw is designed and manufactured so the threads of the screw will tap threads into concrete, brick or block. The threads are hardened without making the body of the screw so brittle that the screw would shear off.


Please join us for an exhibit and sale of photographs showing the life and beauty of the flowers growing in the historic Gamble Garden. 50% of all profits from the sale will go to support the Gamble Garden.
Richard Dweck is a fine art photographer based on the Peninsula. He travels around the world photographing, from his unique perspective, nature, landscape, architecture and people.
Richard's work has been exhibited in numerous galleries and museums and his photographs are owned by many private collectors.
Tax ID: #77-0094213 – Gamble Garden is a 501(c)(3) organization.


text:
Q: Catch file sent with Intent There is an application (Graph Paper) that exports data in PDF to a limited set of applications, among which are Google Drive, Dropbox, GMail etc. but no plain file system or network.
So, how to build an application that will be able to catch this PDF? I just want save it on sdcard, or maybe pipe to IP where netcat can save it. I read a numerous posts about how to send a file with Intent.ACTION_SEND, but can't find anything for receiving. Must be pretty obvious, but I've never written for Android.

A: If you can figure out the mimeType, you may be able to add your application to service the request by something similar to this:
    <activity class=".NoteEditor" android:label="@string/title_note">
         <intent-filter android:label="@string/resolve_edit">
             <action android:name="android.intent.action.SEND" />
             <category android:name="android.intent.category.DEFAULT" />
             <data android:mimeType="vnd.android.cursor.item/vnd.google.note" />
         </intent-filter>
     </activity>

Which it appears there is a standard for the pdf mimeType:
Proper MIME media type for PDF files
References
http://developer.android.com/reference/android/content/Intent.html

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


Camille Papin Tissot (15 October 1868 – 2 October 1917) was a French naval officer and pioneer of wireless telegraphy who established the first French operational radio connections at sea.
Camille Papin Tissot was the second child of Pierre Tissot and Adeline Alexandrine Gérardin, born on 15 October 1868. Their third child, Esther Adèle Tissot, was born on 1 April 1872. The two surviving children, Camille and Esther, were primarily raised by their mother, as their father was often at sea.
Recommended by his father, Camille Tissot entered the naval college at Brest in 1884 when he was 16 years old. He studied navigation on the school ship Le Borda until 1886, and was then posted to the port of Brest. In the first years of his career in the navy, he was successively posted to various school ships and warships, finally to the cruiser "Coetlogon". He then turned to shore duty as of 23 January 1891. He agreed to temporarily occupy one of the teaching positions in physics and chemistry of the naval school. He stayed on for 21 years as a professor in École Navale. The passion of sciences having been transmitted to him by his father, he obtained the degree of Bachelor of the Physical sciences. It was as a professor in École Navale that he became devoted to the study of the electric oscillations and their application in the maritime field.
This last promotion was exceptional for a sailor who practically never sailed. It was due to the importance of the work undertaken by Tissot for the Navy.
In 1894, Camille Tissot met and married Jeanne Emma Stapfer, a 20-year-old woman of an Alsacienne family who moved to Brest in 1870. He nominally converted to the Catholic religion at the request of his father-in-law, although his own beliefs were socialist and atheist. Among the guests at his wedding were Albert Turpain and Marcel Cachin, very committed members of Parliament and future founder of French Communist Party in 1920. They had one daughter, Camille.
In 1902 Tissot used a coherer receiver of this type at the lighhouse at Ushant, communicating over a range of 80 kilometers.
Article by Camille Tissot, published in the n° 57 of July 1906 of the bulletin of the "Company of the Electricians" (Société des électriciens).
In 1896, when the work of Lodge and of Marconi concerning wireless telegraphy was still little known, Tissot undertook parallel and independent research. He built apparatus for radio experiments with the assistance of E. Branly and of the manufacturer Eugene Ducretet for whom later he will develop apparatus.
On 3 August 1898, Tissot demonstrates the first French operational radio connection at sea, covering 800 meters between "BORDERED" and an on-shore semaphore station. Convinced, the Minister of Marine on 6 August agrees to finance purchase of material to allow him to continue his tests. With this apparatus Camille Tissot in 1899 organized a large trial run and demonstrates communications by radio, initially between various points of the roads of Brest and the Saint Martin church, then to the islands Vierge (Plouguerneau) and Stiff (Ushant).
In 1898 he also established radio contact to the island of Ouessant. This station will become Ushant radio station, with call sign FFU ( French Fixe of Ushant), which is active there until 1943.
In 1899, Tissot published a report describing his work and experiments through the roads of Brest. In 1900, Tissot equipped the French Navy with its first radio apparatus.
In 1902, the station Ushant TSF is established with a radio operator, receiver with coherer, and an arc transmitter. This station had a radio telegraphy range of 80 kilometers with a fleet of 14 ships at sea and with Brest.
In 1904 the Ouessant radio station with call sign FFU carried out radiotelegraphic connections on 600 meters with a fleet of passenger ships.
From 1905, Tissot made very thorough studies on the detection of radio signals. Following these tests, Tissot showed the possibility of using radio to transmit a time signal and to regulate the chronometers of the ships at sea. The Bureau des Longitudes started daily time signal service starting in May 1910.
In 1907, Tissot conceived, with F Pellin, a Crystal radio without tiresome adjustment to receive signals aboard ships.
In 1911, his technical expertise was required by a committee of French industrialists carried out by E Girardeau, during the series of lawsuits between the Marconi Company and French radio companies. With the occasion of these lawsuits, Tissot and Férrié in particular sought to show certain faults of patent 77777 of Marconi, but also the priority of experiments of certain French scientists, like Eugene Ducretet. Marconi won the lawsuit, but the decision of the court, which gave the Marconi the right to replace the French material by material made by Marconi, will never be applied in France.
During the First World War, Tissot made several stays at Bizerte, to equip ships with radio and to work on detection of underwater sound.
Commander Tissot died in October 1917 of pulmonary tuberculosis and influenza. He was buried in the military square of the cemetery of Arcachon. He was an Officer of the Legion of Honor, and Officer of the State education.
(in French) Mémoire de thèse de Doctorat sur la résonance des antennes (1905). Memory of thesis of Doctorate on the resonance of the antennas.
(in French) Traité sur les oscillations électriques (1906) Treaty on the electric oscillations.
(in French) Manuel de TSF théorique et pratique (1912), Handbook of theoretical and practical TSF (1912), republished until 1932 (6th edition).
(in French) books written by Camille Tissot.
He was also the author of many articles of popularization of radio in international scientific reviews, and gave very many conferences on the subject. Although not a member, he intervened regularly in front of the Academy of the Sciences. He received several prizes and rewards of the Academy.
^ a b c "Officiers et anciens élèves" (in French). Retrieved 22 December 2018.
^ McNicol, Donald Monroe (1946). Radio's conquest of space: the experimental rise in radio communication. Taylor & Francis. pp. 46, 113.
^ "150 ans d'histoire au cimetière d'Arcachon" [150 years of history at the cemetery of Arcachon] (in French). 3 July 2014. Retrieved 22 December 2018.
^ "Commandant Camille Tissot précurseur de la TSF et de la VHF marine". Retrieved 22 December 2018.
^ "Sur l'emploi de détecteurs sensibles d'oscillations électriques basés sur les phénomènes thermo-électriques" [On the use of sensitive detectors of electric oscillations based on the phenomena thermo-électriques]. Comptes Rendus de l'Académie des Sciences (in French). 147: 37. 6 July 1908. Retrieved 22 December 2018.
Baker, L. (February 1918). "Commandant Camille Tissot [Obituary]". Proceedings of the Institute of Radio Engineers. 6 (1): 4. doi:10.1109/JRPROC.1918.217352. ISSN 0731-5996. Retrieved 22 December 2018.


text:
NORINCO AR-1
8x8 Wheeled Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) Vehicle
Since its recent introduction, the AR-1 MLRS series has already seen several progressive variants emerge.
Manufacturer(s): China NORth INdustries COmpany (NORINCO) - China
Capabilities: Fire Support/Assault/Breaching;
Length: 39.37 ft (12 m)
Width: 9.84 ft (3 m)
Power: 1 x Diesel engine.
Operators: Armenia; China; Pakistan
The PHL03, based on the Russian BM-30 "Smerch" Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS), was adopted ahead of the competing A-100 for People's LIberation Army (PLA) service. The vehicle was then further developed to become the "AR-1" 8x8 wheeled series and appeared during 2009, offering improved tactical capabilities and support of guided rocket munitions. The AR-1 has since been expanded to include several progressive versions with an export model - designated as A-100E (AR-1A) - delivered to Pakistan.
The AR-1 continues support of the 300mm variable-warhead battlefield rocket and, like other MLRSs, is intended for area saturation of enemy-held territory. An 8x8 heavy duty wheeled chassis forms the carrier vehicle portion of the complete MLRS system with the launcher unit set atop the rear section of the chassis. The crew numbers four with members housed in a forward-set cabin. The launcher unit is trainable to an extent which allows the vehicle to not have to be turned completely into the direction of fire. Hydraulic recoil legs at the rear sides of the truck are lowered for stabilization prior to firing - firing taking just seconds to empty the whole launcher unit. Ten launch tubes make up the basic 300mm rocket launcher component.
The AR-1A has since been introduced as something of a modular variant of the original AR-1 series in which the entire launcher unit can be replaced in-the-field by an accompanying support vehicle. In this way each launch tube does not have to be reloaded individually and therefore offers a much higher rate-of-fire for the crew. NORINCO then followed this mark with the AR-2 which retains the modularity of the AR-1A but supports increased engagement ranges out to 130 kilometers. The AR-3 form has also emerged and supports a 370mm battlefield rocket while retaining support firing the earlier 300mm rocket type. In the case of the 370mm launcher unit, the launch tubes number four.
A relatively new addition to the inventory of the PLA, the AR-1 series should maintain a healthy service life. Export sales may also increase its global popularity when competing with more expensive Russian offerings.
10 x 300mm rocket launch tubes (AR-3 supports 370mm types).
10 x 300mm rockets plus reloads carried through accompanying ammunition carrier.
• AR-1 - Base Series Designation; further development of the earlier PHL03 system while also based on the Russian BM-30 Smerch platform.
• AR-1A - Development of the AR-1 model; 10 x rocket launcher unit.
• AR-100E - Export variant of the AR-1A
• AR-2 - Development of the AR-1 / AR-1A with increased engagement range out to 130 km.
• AR-3 - Development of AR-2 model with 370mm rockets.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
Ixtapa: An Excellent Choice in Mexican Resorts
Can't decide between a beach getaway and a cultural experience? Have your cake and eat it too. Open-jaw flights and a super new highway pave the way for vacations combining cultural Morelia, scenic Lake Pátzcuaro, and the beautiful beaches of Ixtapa and Zihuatanejo.
Occupied by the Olmecs as far back as 3,000 BC, Ixtapa today is a resort planned in the 1970s by FONATUR, Mexico's tourism development bureau. The main hotel zone is dense and diminutive, just like the orange-flowered ixora hedges that line its single road. The overall effect here is planned and plotted out, yet tropical and luxurious in a small-time way.
Ixtapa's hotels aren't as fancy, and there aren't nearly as many, as those of other Mexican resorts like Cancun and Los Cabos. Ixtapa's official Visitors' Bureau website (http://www.ixtapa-zihuatanejo.triangulodelsol.travel) lists fewer than two dozen hotels in Ixtapa, including some boutique properties. The bigger brand names are Intercontinental (formerly Presidente), Melía, Las Brisas, and Club Med.
Occupying its own beautiful beach away from the main hotel strip, the Club Med Ixtapa Pacific was totally renovated in 2007. The all-inclusive pioneer has a new, beach-facing spa and modern guest rooms with plasma TV and upgraded toiletries. Buffet restaurants offer five distinct cuisines, including French food and steaks.
Las Brisas (formerly a Westin hotel) was designed by Ricardo Legorreta, a disciple of pioneering Mexican architect Luis Barragán. Las Brisas has a modern design that incorporates regional building materials in interesting ways. The hotel here is rather lonesome, however. It perches above Playa Vista Hermosa ("Beach of the Beautiful View"), which is accessible by elevator. But aside from a few romantic restaurants, most other diversions are a bus or cab ride away, in Ixtapa's main hotel zone, or in Zihuatanejo.
The pre-Hispanic town of Zihuatanejo is just four miles north of Ixtapa, which means Ixtapa's visitors can explore a real town and some of the lovely beaches that line its horseshoe-shaped bay, making this a true "two-fer": two destinations in one.
In addition to miles of beautiful beaches, Ixtapa-Zihua offer golf courses, a dolphin encounter and water park, bike paths, sportfishing and water sports, and bird watching. There are fun and funky bars and restaurants---and a few more elegant choices---in both destinations.
Not as flashy and chic as competing beach resorts, Ixtapa also isn't nearly as expensive. About halfway between Manzanillo and Acapulco, Ixtapa has had a hard time getting direct flights from major American and Canadian cities. Just seven international airlines currently serve the destination. Flights into the airport (code: ZIH) are in many cases seasonal, and some fly only once or several times per week. Although this distresses local business owners, it benefits travelers by yielding lower prices for a tropical Mexican resort.
One alternative to flying round trip into Ixtapa/Zihua is combining a visit to the colonial cities of Mexico City, Morelia, and/or Pátzcuaro with your beach vacation. Capital of Michoacán state, Morelia has an international airport and offers excellent folk art, good hotels, and other amenities. Highway 37 now connects Zihuatanejo-Ixtapa with Morelia via Pátzcuaro and the lake cities. (The old, longer road connects via Acapulco.) And it's less than two hours (traffic permitting) between Morelia and Mexico City.
See http://www.ixtapa-zihuatanejo.com for a map of the area.
IXTAPA LOCAL LISTINGS
Apartment for rent longterm
Ixtapa, Guerrero
Majahua Point
Condo in Ixtapa
Ixtapa Holiday Inn- Long Term stay Senior couples.
Paseo del Palmar Lt.1 Mz.1
011 (521) 755 101 74 96
Ixtapa Mexico Home with Studio For Sale
House/Condo for Sale
wanda.english@hotmail.com
Ixtapa ,House,Villa,Insuite.
Rental Property Manager Ixtapa, Guerrero MX
Ixtapa Condo for Rent
Posada Real Ixtapa
Blvd. Ixtapa S/N Zona Hotelera Ixtapa - Zihuatanej
Ixtapa, Mexico
Senor Frogs
Centro Comercial La Puerta, Paseo de Ixtapa s/n
Bahia La Tortuga Fishing Lodge


From romantic Paris, we slip our moorings and commence our wonderfully scenic cruise along the beautiful and majestic Seine into the heart of one of France's most historic and picturesque regions, Normandy. With time to enjoy the historic little town of Les Andelys en route, we continue our journey along the Seine's sweeping meanders, before exploring the delights of Rouen, one of Europe's finest medieval cities with its stunning cathedral and tangle of atmospheric winding streets.
Passing the legendary Jumiege Abbey, we moor in the pretty village of Caudebec with time after dinner for an evening stroll in this most typical of French villages. Then to Bayeux, spared significant war damage, it retains its wealth of splendid buildings as well as the legendary and stunning tapestry for which it is so famed. We also see some of the many thought-provoking monuments and places along the Normandy coast and reflect on the remarkable story of the D-Day landings on our visit to Gold Beach and the remnants of Mulberry Harbour. Our cruise would not be complete without a visit to charming Honfleur - its near perfect waterfront of tall pastel-coloured 18th century houses, traditional shops and maze of streets providing the inspiration for the Impressionist painter Claude Monet to paint here many times.
Countless sleepy villages silently drift by as we arrive in delightful Vernon, from where we take the short drive to Giverny visiting Claude Monet's home and one of the world's most famous and most painted gardens. Enjoy the quintessentially half-timbered streets of Vernon before we continue on to our final destination, one of the world's most iconic and romantic cities, Paris. From the Notre Dame to the Arc de Triomphe, the Sacre-Coeur to the Eiffel Tour, the Louvre to the Pompidou Centre, the smart shopping of the Galeries Lafayette to bohemian Montmatre, the list is endless and the variety arguably unmatchable; this breathtaking city never fails to inspire no matter how many times you get the chance to visit.
Fly to Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport. On arrival, transfer by coach to your cruise ship moored on the River Seine in the heart of the city. The friendly crew will welcome you on board, helping you settle into your spacious and exquisitely furnished accommodation – you'll immediately feel at home. This evening you enjoy your first sumptuous dinner, served in the ship's restaurant.
During the night our ship slips her mooring and, as you enjoy breakfast, the landscape passes by serenely and you quickly get used to this luxurious sightseeing experience. Rounding a sweeping bend so typical of the Seine, we reach the town of Mantes-la-Jolie with its imposing church – so large and architecturally impressive it could be a cathedral – while straight ahead is a medieval stone bridge. The central section of the bridge was destroyed during the Second World War and never repaired – it's the first of many poignant reminders that this region of France has been a battleground for centuries.
Beyond Mantes we encounter another typical feature of the Seine as it flows seaward – picturesque chalk cliffs, almost resembling a giant's teeth. Beautiful villages like La Roche Guyon slide by, surrounded by bocage countryside of lush pastures and high hedgerows, countless cider orchards, half-timbered barns and ancient wooden farmhouses. We're truly in the heart of one of France's historic and stunningly attractive dukedoms – Normandy.
While you're enjoying your first delicious lunch, the captain has skilfully berthed at Les Andelys, a small town dominated by one of the most spectacular sights along the entire valley – Château Gaillard. This remarkable castle guards the apex of the river bend and was built by Richard the Lionheart in the 12th century to defend Rouen from the French. Besieged many times during the turbulent history of northern France, Château Gaillard is now one of the most dramatic ruins in the region.
A much-appreciated feature of our river cruises is that they're thoughtfully planned and paced, allowing time to explore the many places of interest we visit. So this afternoon you are free to roam the town of Les Andelys at your leisure, investigating the Gallo-Roman remains, churches and museums of two former fishing villages that grew together, or alternatively join the short drive up to Château Gaillard. From this spectacular vantage point – probably the finest of the entire cruise – you enjoy stupendous views across the countryside.
During your second excellent dinner we slip our mooring unobtrusively, and what could be better than heading to the lounge for a digestif and a chance to discuss your impressions of the Seine with your like-minded companions? The evening cruise is delightful as we glide past more bucolic scenery, some of the finest France can offer. Should you wish why not visit the wheelhouse, the Captain is always delighted to explain to those interested how the highly sophisticated navigation and safety systems operate.
We awake in Rouen, Normandy's capital, one of Europe's finest medieval cities and scene of many momentous events over the centuries. Pride of place on our guided tour of the city belongs to its stunning Gothic cathedral, which was immortalised by the great Impressionist Claude Monet in a series of 28 paintings showing the facade at varying times of day and in different weather conditions. Briefly becoming the world's tallest building when the soaring spire was added in the 19th century, the cathedral is also notable for the recumbent statue reputedly containing the heart of Richard the Lionheart.
Rouen's beautifully tangled alleyways are a revelation, lined with antique shops, tasteful boutiques and, of course, countless restaurants serving exceptional local cuisine emphasising the country's outstanding gastronomic heritage. The Place du Vieux-Marché is one of the city's most poignant spots; a large cross marks the point where the 'Maid of Orléans' Joan of Arc was burned at the stake for her beliefs.
During another superb lunch we cast off to navigate through yet more twists and turns, chalk cliffs and a landscape of forest-covered hills that are designated as areas of outstanding natural beauty and sanctuaries for diverse wildlife, including deer and wild boar. Another highlight of the valley soon greets us – the ethereal ruins of Jumièges Abbey. Founded in the 7th century, it was consecrated in the presence of William the Conqueror and was an important political and religious centre until it was sacked in the 16th century. In the late afternoon we moor in the pretty town of Caudebec-en-Caux, so after dinner why not take a stroll to explore this lovely spot, with its typical market square, richly decorated church and the Maison des Templiers, one of the oldest houses in Normandy.
After breakfast you'll be ready for a full-day tour exploring two of the most important aspects of European history – the Bayeux Tapestry and the D-Day landings. (Please note lunch is not provided today.) Bayeux itself is a delightful town with a historic core that escaped the ravages of war, so you can marvel at its many splendid buildings including the grand Gothic cathedral. But, of course, Bayeux is most famous as the home of the tapestry telling the story of the Norman invasion of Britain in 1066 in glorious detail. Among its 75 scenes are the coronation of Harold following the death of Edward the Confessor and his subsequent demise at the Battle of Hastings, which led to William of Normandy invading England and becoming king. The 230-foot-long tapestry is made up of nine panels of extremely delicate embroidery – gazing at its wonderful depictions of the battle and the period's architecture, weapons and everyday life, you'll appreciate why the Bayeux Tapestry is arguably the finest relic of the Middle Ages.
This afternoon we drive to nearby Gold Beach, one of the five main landing sites on D-Day, when Allied forces surged into Normandy to begin the liberation of occupied Europe. Casting your eyes across the sand to the water's edge, it's sobering to consider that on 6 June 1944 around 25,000 British troops came ashore on this one beach, with 400 killed by the defenders. At the western end of the shoreline is the village of Arromanches, where there is a museum dedicated to the 'longest day' and you can still see remnants of the two Mulberry harbours constructed for the landing craft. After a day recalling such momentous events and the stories surrounding them, thoughts turn again to the culinary delights awaiting you in the refined comfort of the ship's restaurant.
Honfleur is often regarded as the most picturesque spot on the northern French coast, and after breakfast we make the short journey to this delightful town. Its old harbour, sheltering both fishing boats and luxurious pleasure craft, is beautifully preserved and surrounded by a perfect waterfront of pastel-coloured 16th- to 18th-century houses, many converted to seafood restaurants. Watch the talented artists capturing the captivating views along the waterfront, while the intricate maze of streets behind is also well worth discovering. The eaves of the tall half-timbered buildings almost touch, and on the streets below is an abundance of traditional shops selling antiques, books and fine foods. Honfleur's most famous son is Eugene Boudin, one of the forerunners of Impressionism and a friend of Claude Monet, who also painted the harbour many times.
After returning to the ship for lunch, we slip our mooring and begin our passage back upstream, retracing the river's winding course, its huge variety of wildlife, enchanting scenery and forests, all reflected in differing colours in the sparkling waters. Villages slip by, birds glide on thermals rising from the surrounding cliffs and, as this ever-changing kaleidoscope slips by, it's an ideal opportunity to join new friends for a chat. Squeeze in a spot of reading on the Sun Deck or simply recline, letting the gentle breezes lull you into a relaxing doze. By this stage of your cruise you'll be totally unwound and modern life will seem very distant.
One of the great delights of river cruising is the magical sensation of waking up in a different place from where you were the night before. This morning the ship has moored in delightful Vernon, and we take the short drive to Giverny to visit Monet's garden and house. The artist himself called his garden his 'most beautiful masterpiece', and it's certainly one of the world's most photographed and painted, ideally viewed in the delicate morning light. In the Japanese-inspired water garden, shaded by great weeping willows and surrounded by bamboo, rhododendrons and azaleas, is the lily pond where he painted his extraordinary Les Nymphéas (Water Lilies) series. There's ample time to wander here, absorbing the tranquil atmosphere while marvelling at the light bouncing off foliage of every hue and the magical reflections dancing off the water.
After another leisurely lunch on board, you can explore Vernon's quaint buildings before embarking on our cruise to Paris. As the sun sets on the shimmering Seine and the Norman countryside recedes into dusk, it's a perfect time to reflect on your few days cruising among the creamy chalk cliffs and charming villages of this splendid river.
We have arrived in Paris and this morning we take a sightseeing tour of this amazing capital, one of the world's most iconic cities. The Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Champs Élysées, Sacré-Coeur – you'll see all these and much more. The grand Place de la Concorde, the largest square in the city, shows off 18th-century French architecture at its best, and just over the Seine on the Left Bank you'll find the Musée d'Orsay, home of the world's finest Impressionist art collection. Then there's the eccentrically modern and yet stylish Pompidou Centre, famous not only for its exhibits but also for street entertainment. Notre-Dame Cathedral and the delicate spire of the sublime Saint-Chapelle dominate the Ile de la Cité, while the exquisite Tuileries Gardens are perfect for a stroll.
After lunch on board you could visit fine shops such as the Galeries Lafayette or those in the smart arcaded Rue de Rivoli, or perhaps wander around the café-lined streets of bohemian Montmartre. Paris is everything you imagine it to be – romantic, inspiring, vibrant – even outrageous – but best of all Paris is unique, and a fitting finale to a wonderful cruise. This evening is the Captain's Dinner, hosted of course by the Captain himself. Featuring specialities of the regions through which we have travelled, it's a truly memorable experience.
Transfer to the airport for your return flight home.
Prices are per person, based on two people sharing a twin cabin with a limited number of single cabins available on all decks, at the relevant supplement. The price includes full board from dinner on your day of arrival until breakfast on your final day (excluding one lunch); if you choose to travel with us on any of the full day excursions by coach, a packed lunch will be provided. Anyone choosing to stay on the ship may of course have lunch in the restaurant; morning/afternoon tea and coffee; all visits and excursions as mentioned in the brochure, airport, coach travel as mentioned, travel to and from port of embarkation and the services of a Riviera Travel cruise director and concierge.
Please note that on-board Wi-Fi speeds may vary.
Simply relax and when it's time to dine in the restaurant, take your pick from a range of: draught beer; non-alcoholic beer; soft drinks; juices; red, white and rosé house wines; and wine recommendations from the menu by the glass.
If you choose not to purchase a drinks package, there is a vast selection of drinks on board each ship available for individual purchase. To see an example bar list please see our dining information.
Drinks packages must be purchased by all guests in the same cabin or suite, and do not include drinks from the bar. To book the drinks package please call the reservations team.
Don't miss your chance to visit the world's largest museum and admire one of the most impressive art collections in history.
Please call us on 01 905 6300 to enquire further.
We've been in the business for 35 years, so we're fully bonded by ITAA & ATOL for your complete peace of mind.


Use the Book Talk resources between the beginning of March and the end of May. Organise and use the resources in the way that suits your school or setting best. We recommend that you spread the activities out over several weeks.
A leaflet to introduce Book Talk to families, with some useful ideas and tips.
To help you enjoy Funny Bunnies Rain or Shine and Ten Little Dinosaurs together. Two colourful sheets to help parents and carers enjoy reading with their children, talk about the books and ask questions.
Activities related to Funny Bunnies Rain or Shine, encouraging parents and carers to talk, play and have fun with their child!
Ten Little Dinosaurs finger puppets activity, encouraging parents / carers to talk, play and have fun with their child!
Colourful poster (with question prompts) for children to talk about with their families.
Three fun feedback postcards to help develop and strengthen home-school and setting links.


text:
Taliban threat to Afghan poll: was anything accomplished?
Three news books suggest Britain's adventure in Afghanistan was a horrible waste of lives and money
by Robert Fox
Cpl Ross Tilly/MOD via Getty Images
ON the eve of Saturday's crucial elections in Afghanistan, and the impending departure of foreign troops from the country, the Ministry of Defence has been offering a limited number of defence journalists the opportunity to be "embedded" with British forces in Helmand as they pack up the huge complex at Camp Bastion, a tented barracks roughly the size of Reading.
The journalists will have to adhere to the rules of the MoD's 'Green Book' – which means war-time censorship of copy, limited access to Afghans, and a raft of new restrictions. The journalists will have military escorts or minders, who now have to report all conversations with reporters, even at mealtimes in the canteen.
One can understand the authorities' defensiveness - but it doesn't warrant our sympathy.
David Cameron sees the withdrawal of troops as "mission accomplished". But with growing Taliban intimidation making the validity of the 5 April elections highly questionable, what, if anything, has been accomplished?
This government, like its Labour predecessor, has continually refused a public inquiry into Britain's 14-year commitment to Afghanistan, at a current price of 448 military killed, more than 2,000 seriously injured and expenditure of around £10 billion.
Yet three remarkable books published this spring suggest that a public inquiry into British policy and operations in Afghanistan is as urgent and necessary as the Chilcot Inquiry into Iraq (publication of which has just been delayed yet again).
Honourable Warriors by Richard Streatfeild is his account of commanding a company of British infantry in the worst of the fighting in Sangin, where more than 100 British troops were killed.
In the winter of 2009-2010, Major Streatfeild broadcast a cheery blog from his base on the edge of the town for Radio 4's Today programme. Having left the Army, he now feels free to tell the truth about the lack of equipment and clear direction his men received.
They had only three mine detectors when they needed 35. Their radios were lethally unreliable – equipment due to be upgraded in 2009 won't be replaced until 2019. Patrols and outposts were shot at several times a day for days on end. More than half of all section commanders were wounded.
His conclusions about the lack of clear direction and policy chime with those of Mike Martin, an Army officer acting as an adviser to a number of commanders, in his history of Helmand province from 1978 to 2012, titled An Intimate War. As a Pashtun speaker, he met many of the principal players in Helmand, which alone grows just under half of the Afghan heroin output. The book is still awaiting publication.
Martin suggests that the British, and later the Americans, did not understand what they were getting into when they decided to send troops to Helmand to bring modern governance to the Afghans and crack down on the drugs business.
Rather than stamping out corruption and tribal rivalries, they effectively bought into them. Aid funding for alternative cropping to opium drifted off to village elders and tribal shakers and movers – and via them to the Taliban.
The book is an indictment of UK aid policy as much as its military strategy. (The overseas aid department, DFID, ran one of the biggest operations in its history to Kabul and Helmand.) One of the biggest follies was to shift, at great expense and risk, a third massive turbine unit to the hydro-electric plant at the Kijaki dam. The turbine lies there rusting and unused, in an area where Iran is now openly influencing local militias.
Martin suggests that there was an almost wilful self-deception by the senior British and American command about what they could achieve in the complex tangle of tribal vendettas and alliance, which would take decades and generations to change. Drug production has if anything gone up in Helmand since the big move south by British and American troops in 2006.
There is the same sense of reluctance to face a bitter truth recounted in The Wrong Enemy by the veteran New York Times correspondent, Carlotta Gall.
She traces how elements of the Pakistan military, especially its intelligence branch the ISI, have supported and even run the Taliban insurgency in southern Afghanistan, largely working with planners and training schools round Quetta, and later Peshawar.
As the Americans quickly learnt, but wouldn't admit, part of the Pakistan military administration was joining them in fighting global terror, while part was protecting and abetting the local Taliban and even their al-Qaeda allies. Among those who knew of, and largely approved, the ambivalent policy towards the Taliban insurgency were President Musharaf and his ISI then army chief, General Ashraf Kayani.
No wonder that when the New York Times ran extracts of the book, the local versions in Pakistan had the pages carrying Gall's article blanked out.
Her most shocking revelation is that the ISI knew where Osama bin Laden was all along, and may even have helped him move to his last home in Abbottabad.
There was one top secret department, run by an ISI officer, devoted exclusively to the welfare of OBL and his family. There are intercepts after his killing by US Navy Seals in May 2011 that suggest a senior Pakistan general had full knowledge of the al-Qaeda leader and his activities all along.
Very little of what these three books discuss has entered the current debate at the time of the Afghan elections and the impending withdrawal of international forces, which is likely to be much faster than expected.
Quite how our nations and armies got involved in such an expensive enterprise as Afghanistan – costing the US Treasury more than a trillion dollars – is well worth examining. Without such scrutiny, risks are already emerging of drawing wrong conclusions.
The politicians will blame the soldiers and their commanders for any shortcomings. They argue that with the interventionism of the Blair-Bush years a thing of the past, we no longer need big armed forces.
This is to let the politicians and diplomats off the hook. In the end it was a political decision to go into Iraq and Afghanistan. It is too simplistic to cut defence, as if none is needed now those campaigns are over, and boost aid - which is what Chancellor Osborne seemed to be hinting at in his recent Budget speech.
The problem, Carlotta Gall concludes, is that the wrong enemy is still out there.


Some pruning instruments that can be utilized to maintain a backyard. For additional tips on making your gardening life simpler, or to study extra about Miracle-Gro® products, click on any of the hyperlinks under. It isn't simply higher for the surroundings and water conserving, but it surely makes it simpler to grow plants in smaller, city areas, where many savvy laptop users dwell.
Gardening gloves: There are various forms of gardening gloves on the market, made from a wide range of materials, together with leather-based and rubber. Discover the wide range of gardening equipment at Homebase and find the proper tool that can assist you sort out your outdoor to-do checklist.
Small spades, like a drain digging spade or this small contractor's spade (left, above) are useful for digging round established plants, in locations the place a full-dimension shovel head won't match. Trolley – we offer a folding garden cart that is good for transporting your tools and crops across the backyard.
Corona Tools manufactures a number of tools which are helpful for gardeners with disabilities. Even more of a niche item than most good backyard tech, climate sensors might be fairly useful in sure scenarios. This is a crucial gardening software for separating the clay soils and in addition functioning about established bushes with the origins.
A hose pipe will make your life easier and is a crucial gardening instrument. They don't seem to be vital, as a hori-hori and hand pruner can take the place of these tools, but there are conditions the place you might have considered trying a extra specialised software.


Image Title: Fish Bowl Clipart Printable Pencil And In Color Throughout Empty Coloring Page 17. Post Title: Empty Fish Bowl Coloring Page. Filename: fish-bowl-clipart-printable-pencil-and-in-color-throughout-empty-coloring-page-17.jpg. Image Dimension: 962 x 654 pixels. Images Format: jpg/jpeg. Publisher/Author: Jasper Fadel. Uploaded Date: Thursday - October 11th. 2018 00:38:30 AM. Category: Coloring Pages. Image Source: bhg.com. Empty Fish Bowl Coloring Page Awesome Finding Nemo Tank Throughout 11. Fish Tank Coloring Page Pages Aquarium Pertaining To Empty Bowl 6. Gambar Empty Fish Bowl Coloring Page Pages In 3. Free Printable Fish Bowl Coloring Page Pages Download For Empty 1. Fish Color Sheet Bowl Coloring Pages With Regard To Empty Page 18. Empty Fish Bowl Coloring Page Best Of Stunning Regarding 8. Empty Fish Bowl Coloring Page Inspirational Contemporary Inside 9. Empty Fish Bowl Coloring Page Clip Art Free Regarding 19. Empty Fish Bowl Coloring Page ClipArt Best Creative Kids Pertaining To 2. 12 Elegant Empty Fish Bowl Coloring Page Oldmint Info Inside 5.


The opinion that children should specialise in one sport is greater than ever. The greatest difference between our sporting experiences and our children's is that we were exposed to many different sports. This allowed us to develop movement patterns and experience unstructured play through multiple sport participation.
Specialising at an early age can result in falling out of love with a sport but also increase injury risk, increase the likelihood of burnout and narrow an athlete's spectrum of athletic ability.
What if we could avoid this?
Encouraging a multi sport approach at a young age can reduce the potential issues above. Below we discuss which sports we encourage our players to do and why.
Gymnastics teaches players about body awareness in movements and positions that they aren't comfortable with. Gymnasts have great relative strength allowing them to produce and absorb high amounts of force.
Gymnastics teaches efficient landing mechanics as well as joint stability. Participating in gymnastics at a young age allows kids to develop whole body strength that can be progressed at a later age.
Martial arts have many physical benefits but the psychological benefits are equally huge. Participating in a martial art teaches kids to focus on certain tasks as well as improve self-confidence and worth. The physical benefits depend on the particular martial art. Power production is a key variable taught through kicking or punching movements.
The ability to produce power throughout the body is a key factor that can relate in to many sports. The ability to react to an opponent tests your reactive agility, which can also be used on the pitch when reading signals given off by players.
Basketball is a sport that includes countless accelerations and decelerations. T court size often determines this. Players will also complete a high number of jumps and landings.
These will range from bilateral to unilateral depending on the skill. For example a jump shot will generally include bilateral whereas a lay up may be unilateral. The court size also requires players to change direction a number of times. Players have to use fakes and rapid changes of direction to gain advantages over opponents.
Racket sports like tennis or badminton challenge a player's hand/eye coordination. Again the court size requires players to complete a high number of acceleration and decelerations.
Players must also move in all planes of motion and adopt unnatural positions to meet the demands of the game. Players have to again produce power throughout the body through the variety of shots they use. One major benefit of these sports is the eccentric strength of the player to decelerate and absorb forces and then produce high levels of force to reaccelerate again. You see this when players move across the baseline with great speed. This strength can be utilised in a game situation.
Wrestling is a sport that requires great strength throughout the body. Wrestling tests a player's balance, reflexes, strength endurance and agility.
When completing wrestling drills players must call on muscle groups that are similar to in a game when they come in contact with opposing players. Teaching players the fundamentals of wrestling movements can give players an edge in these situations.
Taking this multi sport approach develops many physical qualities that you require when player at a high level. Acceleration, deceleration, power, strength, agility are all key attributes of high-level footballers and they are all needed in the above sports. Learning these at a young age gives great physical potential to any youth players. There are also great links between highly developed physical players and highly developed technical players. This will only be enhanced if they are exposed to this approach at an early age.


Hunting is second nature to the Nagas, just life eating and sleeping. Hunting animals and human heads formed a core part of their culture, with many of their religious ceremonies centered around this practice. With the advent of the missionaries the head hunting practice came to an end albeit hunting of animals for food still continues. Today this practice is threatening to wipe out the sparse population of mammals found here; the Hornbill once found in plentiful is to be seen no more. In this perspective the village of Khonoma has set a very unique example by protecting a large part of their community forests. This Naga village is the stronghold of the Angami tribe, one of the sixteen major tribes of Nagaland.
Bumps, potholes and even larger potholes characterised the twenty kilometer stretch from Kohima to Khonoma. The apathetic condition of a road so close to the capital surprised me. The village bore a very tranquil look when I reached there in the early afternoon. Tsile, my host picked me up from the stand guiding me to his place. As we climbed up to his house I noticed that the houses were quite dispersed unlike some of the other Naga villages I had been to. After exchanging a few pleasantries piping hot lunch was served, acting as the perfect medicine for my growling tummy.
Later that evening Tsile took me through the village explaining the cultural and historic significance of the village. In the Angami dialect the village is pronounced as 'Khwunomia' which is a conjunction of the words 'Khwuno' and 'Mia'. Khwuno is the name of a small plant found in plentiful around the village while Mia translates to dwellers. Geographically the village is divided into three sections called khels, namely Thevoma, Mehume and Semoma. Every khel represents one major clan, acting as the administrative and political body. Since the head hunting days each khel had their own fort to keep an eye on their enemies. The Angamis especially those from Khonoma were fierce warriors legendary for their bravery. They fought with the British thrice, keeping them at bay for the first two times. Wading our way through the narrow village lanes we reached the house of Anguile, a basket weaver. The village amongst many other things is also well known for its craftsmanship. Anguile a two time national award recipient was transforming ordinary bamboo into skilfully woven baskets, as though there was some magic in his fingers.
Early next morning I strolled through the village moving towards the stupendous terraced fields I intended to photograph. Khonoma is very famous for its technique of terraced fields, so much so that many people have actually undertaken studies on the same. The fields are so perfectly terraced that they can make water go around in an entire circle. So fascinated were some of the British officers that they wrote eloquently about the terraced fields in their notes.
Over the next few days I got to learn more and more about the conservation initiative taken by this village. Khonoma stands out amongst all Naga villages not because of its bravery or craftsmanship but because of the fact that they have banned logging and hunting in their community managed forest. In the early 90s there was rampant logging around Khonoma, mainly undertaken by contractors from the plains. At one point there were around 130 elephants being used to ferry high quality timber from interior parts of the forest to truckable points. Some of the village elders were foresighted enough to see that the intensity of logging activities threatened to wipe out their forest. They realized that survival and security of the future generation depended heavily on the forest. With this understanding the village council laid a ban on logging in their community forest, with Tsile playing a lead role in convincing the villagers. In 1998 the Khonoma Nature Conservation and Tragopan Sanctuary (KNCTS) was formally institutionalised with a total ban on logging and hunting. Thanks to the foresight of Tsile and some of the village elders the forests are teaming with birds. The sanctuary has now become a major hotspot within the birding community.
By the end of my six days I became an integral part of Tsile' family. This is what I love most about my travels and working with communities, it gives me a deep sense of human relationship I can never feel in the cities. I keep finding a new home in every place I visit.
Good to see your post on Khonoma. I have been to Khonoma. Its a beautiful place inhabited by equally wonderful people.
I will go back again!
Thank you for the post about about my village Khonoma. Do come again.
Thank you for the crisp description of the beauty of my village, Khonoma. Come again when you get the opportunity.
can you please give me the contact of Tsile , in case he does home stay ?
Nice…can you give contact detail of Tsile…would love to visit this place.
Hi Piran! op u r doin well!! I commented on this post in 2011 never knowing that It was you! was surfing n came across this again… thanks. stay in touch..
Traveller from around the world visit Nagaland but misses out Khonoma due to the road conditions,fooding and lodging but now we have started an Inn here in Khonoma for fooding,lodging and to feel the experience of a pleasant home stay. It may not be the standard of a city but we are trying to provide quality and standard at Dovipie Inn with good quality food in Indian,Oriental and Naga cuisine. With the very first Inn in Khonoma we are venturing into an area where an Inn is must for tourist.Hope that we can be of service to one and all during yuor visit to this green and historical village.


text:
Towards a theory of non-commutative optimization: geodesic 1st and 2nd order methods for moment maps and polytopes
Towards a theory of non-commutative optimization...… -Rafael Oliveira
Video of Towards a theory of non-commutative optimization...… -Rafael Oliveira
Scaling problems, such as operator scaling and tensor scaling, have recently found several applications in diverse areas of math and CS. They have been used to give efficient algorithms for non-commutative rational identity testing, compute the optimal constant in Brascamp-Lieb inequalities, one-body quantum marginal problem, solution to the Paulsen problem, and the search version of the Horn's problem, to name a few, [GGOW15, GGOW18, BFGOWW18, KLLR18, F18]. Scaling problems are natural geodesic convex optimization problems on Riemannian manifolds that arise from the symmetries of non-commutative groups, and the algorithms (and their analyses) developed in these previous works heavily relied on this general form of convexity. In this talk we discuss our recent systematic development of a theory of non-commutative optimization, which greatly extends ordinary (Euclidean) convex optimization. We will see how NC optimization unify and generalize the algorithms developed for the uniform and non-uniform versions of the operator scaling and tensor scaling problems. More specifically, our algorithms minimize the moment map (a non-commutative notion of the usual gradient), and test membership in moment polytopes (a vast class of polytopes, typically of exponential vertex and facet complexity, which quite magically arise from this a priori non-convex, non-linear setting). In the spirit of standard convex optimization, we develop two general methods in the geodesic setting, a first order and a second order method, which respectively receive first and second order information on the ``derivatives'' of the function to be optimized. We will also show the key parameters of the underlying group actions which control convergence to the optimum in each of these methods. The non-commutative analogues of ``smoothness'' (from the commutative case) are far more complex, and require significant algebraic and analytic machinery (much existing and some newly developed in this work). Despite this complexity, we shall see that the way in which these parameters control convergence in both methods is quite simple and elegant. Based on joint work with Peter Buergisser, Cole Franks, Ankit Garg, Michael Walter and Avi Wigderson.
gradflow-IAS.pptx


No Breakthroughs in US-China Trade Negotiations. Imperial Showdown?
Two days of talks between Chinese and US delegations last week ended with diplomatic language alone, indicating failure to accomplish anything significant, both sides holding firm in their demands.
First quarter 2018 US trade deficit with China was the highest on record at $91.1 billion, up over $10 billion year-over-year.
The comment period on Trump's announced $50 billion in tariffs on Chinese goods expires at end of May. They're likely coming if some agreement between both countries isn't achieved in the next few weeks.
Chinese and US negotiators are deeply divided. Washington demands Beijing cut the trade deficit at least $200 billion by end of 2020, along with halting state subsidies for companies under the "Made in China 2025" plan – and not retaliate against US exports to the country.
Beijing called on the Trump administration to halt its investigation of Chinese trade and industrial policies, along with lifting its restrictions on high-tech exports to the country.
Talks will continue, including on the sidelines of later in the year international forums between Trump and Xi Jinping directly.
China is willing to allow increased imports of US goods, not reduce exports of its own to America. Nor will it halt subsidies to certain industries, longstanding practice by Washington to corporate favorites.
Both countries want trade war avoided. Beijing remains firm in its position, saying it won't bow to US pressure.
Washington doesn't negotiate. It demands, able to enforce its will on most countries, including EU ones, not easily on China, intending to go along with nothing harming its longterm growth strategy.
Compromise by both sides is likely, whether enough to satisfy both countries another matter entirely.
Long-term US policy calls for regime change in China, replacing its sovereign independence with pro-Western puppet governance, wanting a strategic opponent of its aim for global dominance eliminated.
The bilateral trade dispute is a side show to Washington's greater imperial objectives – yet important enough to spark conflict between both countries if not resolved.
Washington called Russia and China "revisionist power(s)" hostile to US interests. An eventual imperial showdown with both countries is likely, risking unthinkable global war.


I recently appeared on The Demented Podcast once again to discuss two films that fall into the post-apocalyptic genre. I don't generally think of either choice as part of that category, but they're both intriguing movies. Steve Honeywell from 1001 Plus and Nick Jobe from Random Ramblings of a Demented Doorknob do an excellent job on their show, so it was great to return. Our movies for this episode were Jean-Pierre Jeunet and Marc Caro's Delicatessen and Richard Kelly's Southland Tales. The former is a brilliant dark comedy, while the letter is a ridiculously messy epic. I'm always curious to hear reactions to Kelly's ambitious two-and-a-half hour second film. I know that it's an odd movie, but it's also hilarious and very entertaining at times. I also challenged The Tower once again, which is always a fearsome task. I hung in there against some difficult movie trivia, but it wasn't easy. You should definitely check out this episode through this link.


text:
'use strict';

const awsCommon = require('../../lib/aws-common');

/**
 * AWS Data Pipeline version 2012-10-29
 *
 * --- TODO REMOVE WHEN IMPLEMENTED ---
 * AUTOGENERATED BY build-api.py
 */

// Setup input and output to use AWS protocol json
require('../../lib/aws-common/shape_http')('json', module.exports, null);
// -----------------------------------
module.exports.ActivatePipeline = function ActivatePipeline(aws) {
  var parameterValues = aws.params.parameterValues;
  var pipelineId = aws.params.pipelineId;
  var startTimestamp = aws.params.startTimestamp /* Type timestamp */;
  if (!pipelineId) {
    return [400, 'Sender', 'MissingParameter', 'Did not specify parameter pipelineId'];
  }

  // TODO implement code

  var ret = {

  };
  return [200, ret];
};
// -----------------------------------
module.exports.AddTags = function AddTags(aws) {
  var pipelineId = aws.params.pipelineId;
  var tags = aws.params.tags;
  if (!pipelineId) {
    return [400, 'Sender', 'MissingParameter', 'Did not specify parameter pipelineId'];
  }
  if (!tags) {
    return [400, 'Sender', 'MissingParameter', 'Did not specify parameter tags'];
  }

  // TODO implement code

  var ret = {

  };
  return [200, ret];
};
// -----------------------------------
module.exports.CreatePipeline = function CreatePipeline(aws) {
  var description = aws.params.description;
  var name = aws.params.name;
  var tags = aws.params.tags;
  var uniqueId = aws.params.uniqueId;
  if (!name) {
    return [400, 'Sender', 'MissingParameter', 'Did not specify parameter name'];
  }
  if (!uniqueId) {
    return [400, 'Sender', 'MissingParameter', 'Did not specify parameter uniqueId'];
  }

  // TODO implement code

  var ret = {
    pipelineId: '',
  };
  return [200, ret];
};
// -----------------------------------
module.exports.DeactivatePipeline = function DeactivatePipeline(aws) {
  var cancelActive = aws.params.cancelActive /* Type boolean */;
  var pipelineId = aws.params.pipelineId;
  if (!pipelineId) {
    return [400, 'Sender', 'MissingParameter', 'Did not specify parameter pipelineId'];
  }

  // TODO implement code

  var ret = {

  };
  return [200, ret];
};
// -----------------------------------
module.exports.DeletePipeline = function DeletePipeline(aws) {
  var pipelineId = aws.params.pipelineId;
  if (!pipelineId) {
    return [400, 'Sender', 'MissingParameter', 'Did not specify parameter pipelineId'];
  }

  // TODO implement code

  var ret = {};
  return [200, ret];
};
// -----------------------------------
module.exports.DescribeObjects = function DescribeObjects(aws) {
  var evaluateExpressions = aws.params.evaluateExpressions /* Type boolean */;
  var marker = aws.params.marker;
  var objectIds = aws.params.objectIds;
  var pipelineId = aws.params.pipelineId;
  if (!objectIds) {
    return [400, 'Sender', 'MissingParameter', 'Did not specify parameter objectIds'];
  }
  if (!pipelineId) {
    return [400, 'Sender', 'MissingParameter', 'Did not specify parameter pipelineId'];
  }

  // TODO implement code

  var ret = {
    hasMoreResults: false,
    marker: '',
    pipelineObjects: /*Sq*/[ /*Sr*/{
      fields: /*Ss*/[ {
        key: '',
        refValue: '',
        stringValue: '',
      }, /* ...*/ ],
      id: '',
      name: '',
    }, /* ...*/ ],
  };
  return [200, ret];
};
// -----------------------------------
module.exports.DescribePipelines = function DescribePipelines(aws) {
  var pipelineIds = aws.params.pipelineIds;
  if (!pipelineIds) {
    return [400, 'Sender', 'MissingParameter', 'Did not specify parameter pipelineIds'];
  }

  // TODO implement code

  var ret = {
    pipelineDescriptionList: [ {
      description: '',
      fields: /*Ss*/[ {
        key: '',
        refValue: '',
        stringValue: '',
      }, /* ...*/ ],
      name: '',
      pipelineId: '',
      tags: /*Sa*/[ {
        key: '',
        value: '',
      }, /* ...*/ ],
    }, /* ...*/ ],
  };
  return [200, ret];
};
// -----------------------------------
module.exports.EvaluateExpression = function EvaluateExpression(aws) {
  var expression = aws.params.expression;
  var objectId = aws.params.objectId;
  var pipelineId = aws.params.pipelineId;
  if (!expression) {
    return [400, 'Sender', 'MissingParameter', 'Did not specify parameter expression'];
  }
  if (!objectId) {
    return [400, 'Sender', 'MissingParameter', 'Did not specify parameter objectId'];
  }
  if (!pipelineId) {
    return [400, 'Sender', 'MissingParameter', 'Did not specify parameter pipelineId'];
  }

  // TODO implement code

  var ret = {
    evaluatedExpression: '',
  };
  return [200, ret];
};
// -----------------------------------
module.exports.GetPipelineDefinition = function GetPipelineDefinition(aws) {
  var pipelineId = aws.params.pipelineId;
  var version = aws.params.version;
  if (!pipelineId) {
    return [400, 'Sender', 'MissingParameter', 'Did not specify parameter pipelineId'];
  }

  // TODO implement code

  var ret = {
    parameterObjects: /*S13*/[ {
      attributes: [ {
        key: '',
        stringValue: '',
      }, /* ...*/ ],
      id: '',
    }, /* ...*/ ],
    parameterValues: /*S3*/[ {
      id: '',
      stringValue: '',
    }, /* ...*/ ],
    pipelineObjects: /*Sq*/[ /*Sr*/{
      fields: /*Ss*/[ {
        key: '',
        refValue: '',
        stringValue: '',
      }, /* ...*/ ],
      id: '',
      name: '',
    }, /* ...*/ ],
  };
  return [200, ret];
};
// -----------------------------------
module.exports.ListPipelines = function ListPipelines(aws) {
  var marker = aws.params.marker;

  // TODO implement code

  var ret = {
    hasMoreResults: false,
    marker: '',
    pipelineIdList: [ {
      id: '',
      name: '',
    }, /* ...*/ ],
  };
  return [200, ret];
};
// -----------------------------------
module.exports.PollForTask = function PollForTask(aws) {
  var hostname = aws.params.hostname;
  var instanceIdentity = aws.params.instanceIdentity /* Type structure */;
  var workerGroup = aws.params.workerGroup;
  if (!workerGroup) {
    return [400, 'Sender', 'MissingParameter', 'Did not specify parameter workerGroup'];
  }

  // TODO implement code

  var ret = {
    taskObject: {
      attemptId: '',
      objects: {} /*Map*/,
      pipelineId: '',
      taskId: '',
    },
  };
  return [200, ret];
};
// -----------------------------------
module.exports.PutPipelineDefinition = function PutPipelineDefinition(aws) {
  var parameterObjects = aws.params.parameterObjects;
  var parameterValues = aws.params.parameterValues;
  var pipelineId = aws.params.pipelineId;
  var pipelineObjects = aws.params.pipelineObjects;
  if (!pipelineId) {
    return [400, 'Sender', 'MissingParameter', 'Did not specify parameter pipelineId'];
  }
  if (!pipelineObjects) {
    return [400, 'Sender', 'MissingParameter', 'Did not specify parameter pipelineObjects'];
  }

  // TODO implement code

  var ret = {
    errored: false,
    validationErrors: /*S1l*/[ {
      errors: /*S1n*/[ '', /* ...*/ ],
      id: '',
    }, /* ...*/ ],
    validationWarnings: /*S1p*/[ {
      id: '',
      warnings: /*S1n*/[ '', /* ...*/ ],
    }, /* ...*/ ],
  };
  return [200, ret];
};
// -----------------------------------
module.exports.QueryObjects = function QueryObjects(aws) {
  var limit = aws.params.limit /* Type integer */;
  var marker = aws.params.marker;
  var pipelineId = aws.params.pipelineId;
  var query = aws.params.query /* Type structure */;
  var sphere = aws.params.sphere;
  if (!pipelineId) {
    return [400, 'Sender', 'MissingParameter', 'Did not specify parameter pipelineId'];
  }
  if (!sphere) {
    return [400, 'Sender', 'MissingParameter', 'Did not specify parameter sphere'];
  }

  // TODO implement code

  var ret = {
    hasMoreResults: false,
    ids: /*Sn*/[ '', /* ...*/ ],
    marker: '',
  };
  return [200, ret];
};
// -----------------------------------
module.exports.RemoveTags = function RemoveTags(aws) {
  var pipelineId = aws.params.pipelineId;
  var tagKeys = aws.params.tagKeys;
  if (!pipelineId) {
    return [400, 'Sender', 'MissingParameter', 'Did not specify parameter pipelineId'];
  }
  if (!tagKeys) {
    return [400, 'Sender', 'MissingParameter', 'Did not specify parameter tagKeys'];
  }

  // TODO implement code

  var ret = {

  };
  return [200, ret];
};
// -----------------------------------
module.exports.ReportTaskProgress = function ReportTaskProgress(aws) {
  var fields = aws.params.fields;
  var taskId = aws.params.taskId;
  if (!taskId) {
    return [400, 'Sender', 'MissingParameter', 'Did not specify parameter taskId'];
  }

  // TODO implement code

  var ret = {
    canceled: false,
  };
  return [200, ret];
};
// -----------------------------------
module.exports.ReportTaskRunnerHeartbeat = function ReportTaskRunnerHeartbeat(aws) {
  var hostname = aws.params.hostname;
  var taskrunnerId = aws.params.taskrunnerId;
  var workerGroup = aws.params.workerGroup;
  if (!taskrunnerId) {
    return [400, 'Sender', 'MissingParameter', 'Did not specify parameter taskrunnerId'];
  }

  // TODO implement code

  var ret = {
    terminate: false,
  };
  return [200, ret];
};
// -----------------------------------
module.exports.SetStatus = function SetStatus(aws) {
  var objectIds = aws.params.objectIds;
  var pipelineId = aws.params.pipelineId;
  var status = aws.params.status;
  if (!objectIds) {
    return [400, 'Sender', 'MissingParameter', 'Did not specify parameter objectIds'];
  }
  if (!pipelineId) {
    return [400, 'Sender', 'MissingParameter', 'Did not specify parameter pipelineId'];
  }
  if (!status) {
    return [400, 'Sender', 'MissingParameter', 'Did not specify parameter status'];
  }

  // TODO implement code

  var ret = {};
  return [200, ret];
};
// -----------------------------------
module.exports.SetTaskStatus = function SetTaskStatus(aws) {
  var errorId = aws.params.errorId;
  var errorMessage = aws.params.errorMessage;
  var errorStackTrace = aws.params.errorStackTrace;
  var taskId = aws.params.taskId;
  var taskStatus = aws.params.taskStatus;
  if (!taskId) {
    return [400, 'Sender', 'MissingParameter', 'Did not specify parameter taskId'];
  }
  if (!taskStatus) {
    return [400, 'Sender', 'MissingParameter', 'Did not specify parameter taskStatus'];
  }

  // TODO implement code

  var ret = {

  };
  return [200, ret];
};
// -----------------------------------
module.exports.ValidatePipelineDefinition = function ValidatePipelineDefinition(aws) {
  var parameterObjects = aws.params.parameterObjects;
  var parameterValues = aws.params.parameterValues;
  var pipelineId = aws.params.pipelineId;
  var pipelineObjects = aws.params.pipelineObjects;
  if (!pipelineId) {
    return [400, 'Sender', 'MissingParameter', 'Did not specify parameter pipelineId'];
  }
  if (!pipelineObjects) {
    return [400, 'Sender', 'MissingParameter', 'Did not specify parameter pipelineObjects'];
  }

  // TODO implement code

  var ret = {
    errored: false,
    validationErrors: /*S1l*/[ {
      errors: /*S1n*/[ '', /* ...*/ ],
      id: '',
    }, /* ...*/ ],
    validationWarnings: /*S1p*/[ {
      id: '',
      warnings: /*S1n*/[ '', /* ...*/ ],
    }, /* ...*/ ],
  };
  return [200, ret];
};

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
DJ Lee, exotica, Fundraiser, Garage Music, greasy R&B, Latin Jazz, Lounge Music, LuxuriaMusic.com, Mod, Musical archives, Over Under Sideways Down, Reissues, Rockabilly, Surf Music
LuxuriaMusic 2013 Listener Sponsorship Drive Starts 2/18
World renowned internet radio music purveyor, LuxuriaMusic.com announces its 2013 Listener Sponsorship Drive from Monday, February 18th through Sunday March 3rd.
Once a year, LuxuriaMusic gives listeners an opportunity to keep its programming alive by sponsoring items in the live studio, buying swag, and just plain supporting everything they love about Lux!
The LuxuriaMusic 2013 Listener Sponsorship Drive kicks off Monday, February 18th with famed reissue producer, sonic archaeologist, and Monkees biographer Andrew Sandoval on his program, Come To the Sunshine. The drive runs for two weeks, with the final night celebration coming to a close Sunday, March 3rd on Strike's Kitsch Niche at 10 pm. DJs will offer gifts, prizes, special guests, and two special drawings for Internet radios to entice listener sponsors to support their programs.
As a bonus, LuxuriaMusic is creating an exclusive content page only available to Listener Sponsors. Hear a special sneak peek program the day before the end of the drive on Saturday, March 2nd from 6 to 9 pm, PST.
It's the 2013 LuxuriaMusic Listener Sponsorship Drive! A great way to show the world what you love about Lux!
Dionysus Records, DJ Lee, Events, Garage Music, greasy R&B, Latin Jazz, Lounge Music, LuxuriaMusic.com
1/9: Over Under Sideways Down Live Broadcast Returns to LuxuriaMusic
On Wednesday, January 9, Dionysus Records' Lee Joseph will be broadcasting his first live Over Under Sideways Down show from the new LuxuriaMusic.com studio after an almost two-month break while the LuxuriaMusic studio was in the process of moving. The station went back on the Internet last Satuday and all the local Los Angeles DJs will be back on their live shifts. Tune in!
January 7, 2013by Dionysus Records
Dionysus bands, Dionysus Records, DJ Lee, exotica, Garage Music, History of Recorded Sound (HRS), Latin Jazz, Los Feliz, Lounge Music, LuxuriaMusic.com, Musical archives, Over Under Sideways Down, Radio and Podcasts
"Over Under Sideways Down" on LuxuriaMusic.com Debuts in June
with your host Lee Joseph
The first and third Wednesday of the month
3 pm – 5 pm Pacific on LuxuriaMusic.com Internet radio
Hi Friends, I'm going to be joining the crew at LuxuriaMusic.com for my very own two-hour, bi-monthly Internet radio show called Over Under Sideways Down, which debuts on Wednesday June 6 from 3pm – 5pm Pacific.
I named the show after the beloved Yardbirds song, and the name describes perfectly where I'll be taking the listener: All over the musical map.
Each show will have a different but focused theme. One of the two monthly shows will feature a guest musical or local art luminary who will discuss their past and/or present and share their own and their favorite music. The other show I will do solo, armed with two hours of music and minimal patter.
Here is the show line-up for June and July:
Wed June 6: Tucson, Arizona '60s Sound Survey with special guest Manny Freiser.
The debut show will feature two hours of music and talk about the local Tucson, AZ. music scene in the 1960s. Former member of The Grodes / The Tongues of Truth / Spring Fever and writer of Nuggets classic "Let's Talk About Girls" will join me in-studio to discuss his experiences in the "Old Pueblo," adventures in Phoenix and Los Angeles clubs and studios and his surprise discovery that one of his long forgotten compositions' had become a garage-rock classic.
Wed June 20: First Day of Summer and Surf Spectacular
An entire show celebrating the season and featuring a slew of summer, sun, surf and beach songs!
Wed July 4: Voodoo!
Guest Bob Drasnin joins me in-studio to discuss the making of his exotica classic, Voodoo, his exotica comeback album Voodoo II, his big band days, recordings with Red Norvo and his time working in television as composer of music for shows like The Twilight Zone, Mission: Impossible, Wild, Wild West, Hawaii Five-0, Time Tunnel, Lost In Space, Mannix, The Man From U.N.C.L.E. and Voyage To The Bottom of the Sea. We will play some of his recordings, incidentals and his jazz favorites.
Wed July 18: Psych 102
Two hours of psychedelic sounds; honing in on tracks you probably, or should know.
Other show plans include:
A Gold Star Studio special featuring previously unheard interviews with studio owners and engineers Dave Gold, Stan Ross and Larry Levine with music and jingles recorded at the studio over their three plus decade existence.
East Side Sounds – Featuring a slew of East LA tracks from the early '60s through the early '70s with guest, East LA luminary Mark Gurerro.
Passion for Power – Featuring '60s power-pop and '70s – '80s Mod/power-pop revival tracks.
Bubble Glam – A mix of bubblegum and early glam.
Monstereo – A mono/stereo listening session featuring tracks mostly spanning 1966-1969 though I may throw in some exotica records too. I will play select mono/stereo mixes back to back and ask the listeners to comment (via chat room or email) on which ones they like best. Comment highlights will be featured on the Dionysus Records blog.
Do the Funky Ripple, Fletcher! – Two solid hours of soul and funk.
Why Don't We Do It On The Road? – A mixture of live and fake live recordings.
Out of Vogue – Songs from the 1940s Vogue 78 RPM Picture Disc catalog as well as other 78 RPM treasures.
I'm also planning shows focusing on '50s R&B/doo-wop, rockabilly, exotica and more, and will be inviting special guests to share their stories and songs.
Please tune in, and if you can't listen live, the shows are podcasted right after broadcast and archived on the LuxuriaMusic site.
Cheers – See ya in the LuxuriaMusic.com chat room!
Over Under Sideways Down graphic by Ellie – Art Stuff Graphic Design