At Microsoft Ignite in May 2015 Microsoft released information on new features of Hyper-V part of Windows Server 2016 Technical Preview 2.
The breakout session in which the information below was presented was BRK3461 and can be seen here. Very much recommended to watch.
This blogpost is a summary of what was told and demo-ed in that session.
The features are part of Windows Server 2016 Technical Preview 2 (download here). Microsoft does not state which features will be part of the GA version.
This is a summary in which I ordered the new features ranking the most interesting ones the highest. Interesting to note is that many of the features will be available in the Client Hyper-V of Windows 10 as well.
Nano Server will be an important deployment model for Hyper-V. The Hyper-V team has been working hard to get Hyper-V features working on Nano Server. As you might know Nano Server is a lightweight server. No GUI. All management is done using remote tools.
Virtual machine storage resiliency . When the netwerk fails for a moment, in WS 2012 the nodes panic. Trying to correct does more harm than good. VM storage resiliency makes sure that the virtual machine does not crash when the storage fabric has an outage. The VM is pauzed and started when network is available again. Even when the storage fabric is unavailable for over 60 seconds. This feature looks like Resilient File Handles in Server 2012. This feature buffers I/O for up to 30/40 seconds when storage link is disconnected. Any longer failure would crash the guest VM.
Virtual Machine Cluster resiliency: VMs continue to run even when a node falls out the cluster membership. Virtual machines on an isolated node get a status of 'unmonitored'. If the node comes back in the cluster within four minutes everything is fine. When a node continiously becomes unreliable for example because network issues (faulty network cable or NIC) virtual machines are automatically migrated to other hosts and the unreliable host is put in a quarantine mode. In previous versions VMs would be stopped and restarted on other nodes.
Virtual TPM support. Customers are afraid to put their data into the cloud. Virtual TMP allows the usage of Bitlocker so data in virtual machines can be encrypted.
SecureBoot for Linux support (initally for Ubuntu and SUSE Linux). SecureBoot allows the hardware to check if the kernel mode code is uncomprimised. Nowadays malware infects the kernel. And admins cannot do much about this except a format and reinstall. Secureboot for Windows support was already added in Windows Server 2012 R2.
Shielded vitual machines is another security feature. It allows to run virtual machines to run in fabrics that are designated as owners of that virtual machines. A VM needs to have virtual TPM enabled.
Rolling cluster upgrade. It is not needed anymore to create a new cluster when the Hyper-V version needs to be upgrade. Just upgrade the nodes one by one. You can also rollback. So go back from Window Server 2016 to 2012 without downtime.
Changed block tracking. Hyper-V will have its own driver which keeps tracks of changed blocks of VHD/VHDX files. This is particulary useful for backup solution. Now each vendor has to develop its own driver. Like Veeam did with its Veeam CBT driver.
Production checkpoint = Application consistent checkpoint (snapshots). When a checkpoint is created, the VSS in the guest is used to pause transactions and write outstanding transactions of applications to disk. This will guarantee an application consistent checkpoint. Saved state is not used anymore. More info here.
ReFS Accelerated VHDX Operations – Instant fixed disk creation and instant merging of checkpoints. In 2012 creating of a 5 TB fixed VHDX on NTFS could take up to 5 hours without ODX.
Host resource protection: when a virtual machine is being compromised and consumes many resources, Hyper-V will detect and throttle back resources for that evil virtual machine. This feature was initially build in Azure. Microsoft seems many Azure tenants trying to break the system. The software scans for patterns of actions that should never happen when Linux of Windows standard applications are used.
PowerShell direct. Administrators can now control a virtual machine over the VMbus using PowerShell. There is no need to have an operational network connection to the virtual machine. This is usefull for automated configuration of the VM when it is provisioned. For example setting up IIS using PowerShell.
Manual control over the hardware version of virtual machines . Virtual machines are not automatically upgraded when Hyper-V is upgraded.Virtual Machine upgrading is a manual process that is seperate from upgrading the host.
Storage Quality of Service. IOPS can be limited using policy applied to a group of virtual machines. In Windows Server 2012 R2 IOPS restrictions were set per virtual harddisk. In Windows Server 2016 storage QoS is set on a group of VM's. For example for a multi tier applications or for a customer who wants only bronze level storage performance.
A new type of virtual disk: VHDS for shared VHDX. Shared VHDX allows a virtual disk to be used by multiple virtual machines. Usefull for virtual machines part of a cluster.
When a VHDX is added to a Hyper-V Replica protected VM, that disk will automatically be added to the replication.
Host Based Backup of shared VHDX. In WS2012 R2 you need an agent in the VM for backup of Shared VHDX. Now backup of VHDX clusters is as easy as backup of a regular VM.
Online resize of Shared VHDX. Shared VHDX is called 'Shared Drive' in the GUI.
Windows Update will take care of Integration Components update. No need to log into the VM to upgrade/install Integration components. More info here.


Seeking a challenging and rewarding career, where my experience, training, and unique abilities, coupled with my strong sense of motivation, would be of mutual benefit.
Temperature Conversion - Implemented a standalone program using polymorphism to convert temperature.
Computer Units - Implemented a standalone program using polymorphism and data encapsulation to convert temperature.
Mass and Weight - Implemented a standalone program using polymorphism and data encapsulation to convert mass and weight, respectively.


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Eating Off Duty with Anne-Sophie Pic
Dining Out 2 minutes 19 September 2019
We explore where and what celebrated chefs eat outside their kitchens.
Eating Off Duty
Fourth generation of a line of remarkable chefs, Anne-Sophie Pic is France's only female chef to hold the ultimate triple-star rating of the MICHELIN Guide. Since taking over the stoves of Maison Pic in Valence, France, in 1997, this diminutive woman with a Mona Lisa smile and an iron will has carved out a place for herself at the summit of a male-dominated profession.
With the collaboration of her husband David Sinapian, she has modernized and expanded the 130-year-old family establishment. What began as a modest auberge, opened by another Sophie, Anne-Sophie's grandmother, in 1889, the Pic enclave in Valence now includes an elegantly remodeled hotel and restaurant, a bistro, an epicerie fine, a cooking school and a fast-casual concept based on gourmet verrines, called Daily Pic.
RELATED READ: Inspiration of the Star: Maison Pic's Anne-Sophie Pic
In addition, Pic has taken the family name both nationally and internationally, first with the opening of a restaurant in Paris, La Dame de Pic, followed by two other Dame de Pic restaurants, one in London and the most recent in Singapore, which opened in the newly-refurbished Raffles Hotel in July of this year. She is also the talent behind the two-MICHELIN-starred restaurant of the Beau Rivage Palace in Lausanne, Switzerland.
The interior of the new Dame de Pic in Singapore. (Photo by Kenneth Goh.)
Despite her family legacy, Pic's success was far from a given. After a childhood in Valence bathed in the fragrances and flavors of her father's kitchen, the young girl categorically rejected the idea of a culinary career, opting for international studies in a management school where her path crossed that of her future husband. After traveling and working in the United States and Japan, Pic realized that haute cuisine was her passion and calling. She returned to Valance to put her destiny in the hands of her father, Jacques, the third generation of Pic's at the helm of the now famous address. By a cruel twist of fate, Jacques died suddenly shortly after his daughter's return, leaving his apprentice without her mentor at just 23 years old.
Challenging years followed when the young woman was often relegated to administrative tasks before finally asserting her will to take her place in the kitchen. Pic trained with relentless determination, following the family tradition, while forging her own style. "The first dish that signaled my emancipation," she recalls, "was my pigeon with walnut crust, a personal creation [that] echoed a family classic"—her father's pigeon Florentine.
Her efforts were compensated: In 2007, Pic won back the third MICHELIN star, lost after her father's death, and became the first woman chef since 1951 to run a kitchen with the esteemed rating, and only the fourth woman in the history of the red guide to have this honor.
What was the last thing you ate?
A praline tart.
It's your day off. What do you order for breakfast and where? (Outside of your own restaurants.)
I'm in Corsica, on a terrace, taking advantage of the last rays of summer sun. And I'm [enjoying a breakfast of] green tea and a madeleine.
Controversial question: Do you believe in brunch?
I don't believe in brunch, I never "brunch!" (laughter)
What is your 2:00 a.m. food order or favorite spot?
At 2:00 in the morning, I'm hungry for something savory. I'd order a piece of boutefas, a smoked sausage from the canton of Vaud in Switzerland, accompanied by a piece of sheep's cheese.
What is your local coffee shop and what do you order?
I go to Hippolyte Courty's L'Arbe à Cafe in Paris. And I ask him for a Geisha au Chemex, because I love coffee infusions.
Where do you go when you travel to your favorite city?
At the moment this would be in Singapore, in one of the hawker centers of the city, which are fascinating places for observing and tasting street food.
What is the "laziest" meal you put together for yourself this past week?
A tomato with fleur de sel, and a few drops of Baume de Bouteville, an extraordinary French balsamic vinegar.
What is your favorite snack food and why?
A good tarama with rye gressins (breadsticks), because this is a simple and harmonious combination.
What do you like to eat when you want to treat yourself?
Chocolate! It's gourmand, it gives me energy. I've loved chocolate since childhood, undoubtedly because I grew up very near the home of Valrhona chocolate.
Hero image courtesy of Raffles Singapore.
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Written by Stephanie Curtis
Starting her career in New York and Hong Kong, and writing for the likes of Vogue and Food & Wine, Stephanie Curtis is now rooted in Paris, where she has over 20 years of experience writing about the local dining scene and cuisine, as well as translating cookbooks for the likes of Paul Bocuse and Pierre Hermé. On her days off, you can find her sketching works of the masters in the Louvre.
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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


How do I Link to Dropbox Photo File or Folder on Mac?
You can easily link to Dropbox photo file or folder on Mac. To do so, download and install 'Dropbox Desktop Application' on your computer. Right-click on the file to open its contexual menu or you can press the 'Control' button on your keyboard and click on the file at the same time. Choose "Share Dropbox link" option from the contextual menu. The link will be copied and you can paste it anywhere. This is how you can link to Dropbox photo file or folder on Mac.


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Q: Add secured node to the existing Elasticsearch cluster I've made a clone of single Elasticsearch node, that was protected by basic security - built-in users with passwords. The clone was added to the Elasticsearch cluster that has certifications for communication between the 3 nodes and enabled basic security - built-in users and passwords.
However, the communication between added clone node and cluster is blocked due to different passwords.
How to reset basic security on the cloned node to avoid blocking communication?

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


we are engage in export kinds of fruits and vegetables.such as: garlic, onion, potato, apple, pomelo, ginger, and so on. main product is garlic.we export 40000-50000 metric tons annually. our company is a leader Fresh fruits and vegetables exporter company of China. we can do any packing per every client require.
We are one of the leading manufacturer and exporter of sun flower seeds and dried fruits in TURKEY.
We are Dawood Dates, a division of Dawood Ahmed & Co. We are Pakistan based exporters of Pakistani Origin Aseel Dates, We export Fresh Dates, Pitted Dates, Date Paste, Dates Blocks, Dates Feeds and Dried Dates... Our company is HACCP Certified, We are member of Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industries serving our valued customers around the world, We are exporting Dates and other commodities since 2002, if you have any requirement feel free to contact us.
principally based on customer pleasure, is working on various fields as textile, foodstuff, constuction, electronics, chemicals, packing and machninery in internal and external markets. Our company, ERDER INTERNATIONAL TRADE CO. While providing the high quality products with suitable prices its preliminary aim is to give the most affirmative answers in a possible short time against the demands.
We Imtiaz Enterprises are one of the leading Exporter of Fresh Fruits & Vegetables from Pakistan. We supplies our quality products to world wide at very competitive prices. Our Prime Products are Onion, Potato, Mango, Kinnow, Mandarin, Apple, Grapes, Pomegranate.
It is our pleasure to introduce ourselves to your great company as an Iranian best quality raisins manufacture in TAKESTAN (one of Iranian best grape and raisins product centers). You can buy from us best qualities at best prices. Also we can offer you best Dates and other dry fruits.


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Armatocereus  (din latină: armatus, armado și cereus suave) este un gen de cactus natural din America de sud (Columbia, Ecuador și Peru. Aceste specii au florile albe. Majoritatea fructelor sunt spinoase. Sunt cultivate ca plante ornamentale.

Alte Specii
Armatocereus ghiesbreghtii
Armatocereus matucanensis
Armatocereus oligogonus
Armatocereus riomajensis
etc.

Legături externe
http://cactiguide.com/cactus/?genus=Armatocereus

Cactaceae

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


While the world may have forgotten about it, but a 17 years old archivist, Karen Nelson, made a cosmic discovery while tidying up a storage space at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory recently.
The discovery of twently forgetten vials was pheneomenal as these contined the moon dust collected by Neil Armstrong, the first man who landed on the monn, some four decade ago in 1969.
The vials "were vacuum sealed in a glass jar," Karen Nelson told Chao. "We don't know how or when they ended up in storage."


I sell Print on Demand products and teach others how to do it.
Print on Demand is an exciting business model. It allows you to create your own business with a low initial investment. You can grow your business to virtually any size you want. It just takes time, effort, training, and a bit of creativity.
Since I love to teach, I coach others and help them grow and monetize their groups and businesses online. Right now I am working on online courses on Print on Demand and on Using Photoshop Elements to Create Memes and Print On Demand Designs.
I'm Dr. Hale Pringle. I have 40 years experience in the IT world and six years studying and working in marketing. I'm a Certified Internet Marketing Coach and have been the Head Coach for a program that teaches Fulfillment by Amazon – Ecom Masters – FBA Edition and at a Print-on-Demand training program. I've been through dozens of courses – many of them on Internet Marketing and Print on Demand and I apply these skills every day with my own products and with companies who need help getting acquiring new patients or clients.
Robyn and I started where a LOT of people are today.
I got my "good education" – a doctorate in education and research and I certainly worked hard.
I wrote my first computer program in 1967 on a computer with tubes. I've been an educator, researcher, senior manager, private consultant and software developer ever since then. In 2009, I decided to make a change and started studying Internet Marketing.
The reason I made that change was that when my wife and I looked at where we wanted to be and where we were, the disparity was huge. We decided that enough was enough and everything changed. We are not where we want to be yet, but we have grown, we have changed and we are moving toward a lifestyle we only dreamed about before. I am using my 40 years experience with education and computer systems to help my clients build online incomes. By joining with us, you automatically get to take advantage of over 10,000 hours and over $25,000 dollars researching and learning how to make money online and selling physical products.


Lakeside homes are unique in that the homes have essentially two fronts or sides that need to have interesting design detail. Deck and porch designs, mixing materials, and support column details can create unique and attractive backs that in many cases surpass the beauty of many house fronts. View our many beautiful lakeside designs and then let Tony use his creativeness to design your lake home.


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Jižní milník (francouzsky Mire du Sud) je historický milník v Paříži, který vytyčoval Pařížský poledník.

Lokace
Nachází se ve 14. obvodu v parku Montsouris poblíž Boulevardu Jourdan. Milník dnes nestojí v přímé trase Pařížského poledníku, ale zhruba 70 metrů východněji.

Historie
Milník byl původně vztyčen v roce 1806 v zahradě Pařížské observatoře, aby vytyčoval Pařížský poledník. Později byl přesunut do parku Montsouris. Od roku 1928 je chráněn jako historická památka.

Popis
Autorem milníku je architekt Antoine Vaudoyer (1756-1846). Milník je vysoký 4 metry a jeho zakončení má okrouhlou formu. Na stéle je nápis:

DU REGNE DE ... MIRE DE L'OBSERVATOIRE - MDCCCVIZa vlády (Napoleonovo jméno bylo odtesáno) milník Observatoře 1806

Související články
 Severní milník

Reference

Externí odkazy

  Záznam v evidenci historických památek

Geografie Paříže
Stavby v Paříži
Historické památky v 14. obvodu (Paříž)


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No. 60163 Tornado
No. 2007 Prince of Wales
No. 3403 V4 Project
About the V4 project
Darlington Locomotive Works
History of the Gresley class V4s
Nigel Gresley
Original V4s
Building a new class V4
Design study
V4 progress
Supporting No. 3403
The Communication Cord
A Gresley class V4 2-6-2 – The A1 Steam Locomotive Trust's next project
At its Silver Jubilee Convention in October 2015, The A1 Steam Locomotive Trust announced that it would follow its Peppercorn class A1 4-6-2 No. 60163 Tornado and Gresley class P2 2-8-2 No. 2007 Prince of Wales with the construction of further extinct LNER steam locomotives – a Gresley class V4 2-6-2, a Gresley class V3 2-6-2T and a Gresley class K3 2-6-0. At its Annual Convention in September 2017, the Trust confirmed that it has started work identifying and scanning the original drawings for the Gresley class V4 at the National Railway Museum in York in order that the design book for new locomotive could be created within 3D Computer Aided Design (CAD).
The London and North Eastern Railway (LNER) class V4 was a class of 2-6-2 steam locomotive designed by Sir Nigel Gresley – who also designed world-famous No. 4472 Flying Scotsman and world speed record holder No. 4468 Mallard – for mixed-traffic use. It was Gresley's last design for the LNER before he died in 1941. The class V4s had similarities in their appearance and mechanical layout to the class V2s of which pioneer No. 4771 Green Arrow is preserved as a part of the National Collection. The class V2s, introduced in 1936, had limited route availability and the class V4 was a lightweight alternative, suitable for use over the whole of the LNER network.
Two locomotives were built at the LNER's Doncaster Works in 1941. The first locomotive, No. 3401 Bantam Cock, had a scaled-down version of the Gresley Pacific boiler with a grate area of 27½ sq ft. Its tractive effort of 27,000 lbs was produced by boiler pressure of 250 psi and three cylinders of 15in diameter. The second locomotive, No. 3402, incorporated a fully welded steel firebox and a single thermic syphon for water circulation. It was not named, but was known unofficially as Bantam Hen. The class was tried on the Great Eastern section of the LNER, and was well received, with more power than the existing Gresley class B17 4-6-0s and better riding qualities. It was anticipated that many more would be produced, but after the sudden death of Gresley in April 1941 and his succession by Edward Thompson, no more were built. Instead, the simpler two-cylinder Thompson class B1 4-6-0 was adopted as the LNER's standard mixed-traffic locomotive and 410 were built between 1942 and 1952. The two locomotives were sent to Scotland for use on the West Highland Line, although their wheel arrangement was not particularly suitable for the line's steep gradients. The two class V4s were renumbered Nos. 1700/1 in 1946 and later became British Railways Nos. 61700/1. Both locomotives were scrapped in 1957 when their boilers became due for renewal.
We are pleased to announce that we have formed a new subsidiary, The V4 Steam Locomotive Company Limited, to carry out the building of our third new steam locomotive – the yet-to-be-named new Gresley class V4 No. 3403 – as part of its preparations for the formal launch of the project. We can also confirm that we have acquired over 500 original class V4 drawings from Malcolm Barlow, a Doncaster scrap dealer who launched the now defunct Gresley V4 Society in 1994 to build a new example of the class.
In January 2018, the Trust revealed that it had acquired and taken delivery of a complete set of fully-certified tyres for the new Gresley class V4's pony, Cartazzi and 5ft 8in driving wheels. They were purchased from David Buck, owner of Thompson class B1 4-6-0 No. 61306 Mayflower, along with a chimney, two BR class 08 shunter speedometer drive generators and two two-stage single spindle air pumps of Finnish origin including lubricator pumps and check valves for use on No. 2007. The tyres were originally manufactured in South Africa in the late 1990s for Malcolm Barlow, a Doncaster scrap dealer who launched the Gresley V4 Society in 1994 to build a new example of the class. David Buck acquired the parts six months ago in a job lot of items that Malcolm Barlow had salvaged from Doncaster Works on its closure – including a number of class B1 components.
No. 60701 is seen in early BR condition in 1950 – Real Photographs
The V4 Steam Locomotive Company Limited
Hopetown Lane
DL3 6RQ
Darlington Locomotive Works - The works are open to the public on the first and third Saturday of each month, the latter a day that coincides with NELPG also opening their doors to visitors – 11:00hrs to 16:00hrs
© 2019 The V4 Steam Locomotive Company Limited. Registered in England no. 05417383. Website by Hrunk.


These days, many of us see Veteran's Day on the calendar and either get ready to enjoy a three-day weekend or look with envious eyes at those who can. One hundred years ago, things were a lot different.
After four long years of mud, blood and death, World War I had finally come to an end. The formerly picturesque European landscape was now a barren, pitted wasteland. Exhausted soldiers, battered by their experience in the trenches, celebrated an end to the fighting. From these grim battlefields came a day of remembrance known first as Armistice Day, and then later as Veteran's Day.
Take a moment to thank a veteran for his or her service. It only takes a few words to let them know you appreciate everything they do.
Make some time to listen. Many veterans are expert story tellers, and what they have to say may give you new insight into the world.
Share these Veteran's Day discounts and benefits with your favorite veteran.
This year, make Veteran's Day more than just a date on the calendar. And even if you don't have a chance to get out, take a moment to reflect on the sacrifices veterans have made to keep our country safe.


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Curtis Pashelka on the San Jose Sharks
Dan Boyle: "The game's changed. . . . the neutral zone is pretty much eliminated, which is where I get a lot of my offense'
Posted on November 27, 2011 by David Pollak
That Dan Boyle story for the print edition that I mentioned in the previous posting is available online now. Follow the link at right if you're interested.
It focuses on the last six games — a pointless (literally) streak that matches his longest scoring drought from last season. It notes he's on pace for 40 points — 10 below his previous low point as a Shark. It makes passing reference to the increased frequency of giveaways.
That wasn't necessarily the story I planned to do when I showed up at practice today, but the topic was on the mental list we bring to work every day. As it turned out, there was an opportunity to talk relatively privately and Boyle didn't bristle or back away from the topic.
We learned that about him early when Boyle arrived four years ago. He is one player you can approach when things aren't going well and expect to get a pretty detailed self-analysis.
To me one of the most interesting things was his acknowledgement that the game has changed, that opponents have tightened up in the neutral zone and that puck-carrying defensemen such as himself need to adjust their game as well.
"The game's changed," he said. "Everybody's playing the same way – the neutral zone is pretty much eliminated, which is where I get a lot of my offense. Everybody just fires long bombs, chipping it in. It's just a little bit more frustrating for me."
*****Mark Emmons is covering Monday night's game in Los Angeles so look for his coverage here tomorrow as well as in Twitterville where you can follow @markedwinemmons if you're not already doing so.
Just crossed the 4,500 barrier with @PollakOnSharks, by the way. Thanks to all of you already there and, if you're not, it's never too late to join the foolishness. Refusal to do so on principle — well, I respect that, too.
But I gave up my Luddite ways and surrendered to the technology less than six months ago, and haven't regretted it since.
David Pollak
David Pollak has been following the NHL forever and at the Mercury News as an editor or reporter since 1987. For almost a decade he wrote about the Sharks as the paper's Fan in the Stands before joining the sports department in 2001. He became the Sharks beat writer before the 2007-08 season and began this blog at that time. You can also follow him on Twitter at @PollakOnSharks.
Report from morning skate: McLaren's return means 4th line choices, revisiting the Vancouver hype
No Handzus means lots of lineup questions for Todd McLellan against the LA Kings
Sharks announce schedule/rosters for 2016 Rookie Camp
Doug Wilson: Tomas Hertl on track to be ready for regular season
Sharks' Bob Boughner reportedly to get 'some consideration' for Avalanche job
Sharks sign RFA Matt Nieto to one-year contract
Timo Meier among standouts at Sharks' Prospects Scrimmage
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NHL Game Blackouts & Why They Happen? | HockeyHawk.com on A few clues as to how NHL puts together schedule — including the one that has Sharks on road for 16 of 21
NHL Game Blackouts & Why They Happen? on A few clues as to how NHL puts together schedule — including the one that has Sharks on road for 16 of 21
Narrative Writing – ImPixel on Busy day: Remenda won't be returning, new deals for Stalock and Brown, more on the rebuild
Play Games Net The Pizza Guy | lsuboston.com on Game 1 preview: 'Go-to guy' Niemi in net, Torres in lineup, Doughty praises Vlasic, keeping perspective — and more
Congratulations! I'm about to reveal to you a SECRET mass traffic software to earn up to $4000 in one day. Get ready to be SHOCKED on You want a new posting? Well, here's a look at the likely line combos at this point in time


The Way to God: as Taught by Sri Ramakrishna is an exploration of Sri Ramakrishna's central teachings. Sri Ramakrishna's message to humanity is found in his words which were recorded by his disciple M., and later published in book form as the Sri Ramakrishna Kathamrita. This was later translated into English as the Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna.
Swami Lokeswarananda's lucid commentary is informed by a wealth of information concerning Sri Ramakrishna, his disciples, and Indian spirituality as a whole. The Way to God : as Taught by Sri Ramakrishna offers inspiration and practical guidance to spiritual aspirants of all religious persuasions. 'the work presents the wisdom of Sri Ramakrishna with the utmost precision. We have here, for the first time in the history of Ramakrishna studies, a summa philosophica of the Master,' says The Statesman of Calcutta.
Swami Lokeswarananda is a senior monk of the Ramakrishna Order, and is currently Head of the Ramakrishna Mission Institute of culture in Calcutta. An internationally known speaker, Swami Lokeswarananda has been invited to the then-Soviet Union on various occasions, and has frequently appeared on Soviet television and radio. He has also lectured at Oxford and Cambridge Universities, at the Sorbonne in Paris, and in other Universities throughout Europe, the United States and Canada.
A prolific writer for several decades, Swami Lokeswarananda has written many articles and books in both Bengali and English.


Daytime running lights (sometimes referred to as DRLs or daylight running lamps) are low-wattage bulbs that are fitted to a car to improve visibility during daylight hours. As of 7th February 2011, DRLs have become a mandatory fitting to all new type approved passenger vehicles (except trailers).
DRLs must switch on with the vehicle ignition and switch off when the vehicle sidelights are switched on. They can also be made to function as front position (side) lights, which operate at a reduced intensity when the vehicle sidelights are switched on.
These DRL's Improve vehicle visability and reduce the risk of accidents in daylight hours. In fact, studies carried out by the European Commission and the Department for Transport have both found that daytime running lights can reduce accidents and casualties during daytime hours.
Fitted with 24 x Ice white LED's.
Provides a bright, narrow beam pattern.
Lamps are E marked to ECE Regulation 87.
Click on main image to scroll through the installations we have done with these lights.


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Keith Harmon Snow
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keith harmon snow is an independent journalist, war correspondent and photographer. He has also worked as a genocide investigator and consultant to the United Nations and other international bodies. He has won three Project Censored awards for his Central Africa reportage, is a member of the Asiana Press Agency (www.Asiana-Press-Agency.com), and he also recently worked in Afghanistan.
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(4 comments) SHARE Saturday, March 7, 2009
AFRICOM'S COVERT WAR IN SUDAN While the International Criminal Court has issued indictments agasint Sudan's President al-Bashir, the AID industry in Sudan is in turn challenged, and the people behind the propaganda remain unnamed and unknown even as the war fro Sudan heats up under Obama.
(9 comments) SHARE Tuesday, February 5, 2008
FORMER TEACHER ARRESTED FOR BURNING U.S. FLAGS Former public School teacher Doug Wight arrested for a spree of flag burning incidents in Massachsetts.
(3 comments) SHARE Thursday, January 31, 2008
Over Five Million Dead in Congo? Fifteen Hundred People Daily? An expose looking behind the numbers, and behind the agency, regarding the recently released International Rescue Committee assessment of Mortality in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Examines mining, diamonds, propaganda and capitalisms deceptions, with attention to white obliviousness.
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"Rob Kall's writings on the "bottom-up" revolution have real potential to show people that they can hold power accountable and improve justice. A book on this subject could help to repair the economic, legal, social, and political fabric of the United States."
Paul Craig Roberts, former Assistant Secretary of the Treasury, former editor and columnist for the Wall Street Journal, Business Week and Scripps Howard News Service.
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Cutting Equipment Market Drivers, Restraints, Opportunities, and Threats 2028
"Advancements in Cutting Equipment Critical for Growth of Global Market
Cutting equipment plays a critical role in infrastructure development around the world. Technological advancements have shaped a critical aspect of cutting equipment – enable precision cutting at a quick pace.
From lathes & grinds to modern day laser & plasma cutting equipment, cutting equipment technology has witnessed a sea change. In this article, we will take a look at three cutting equipment technologies that have been used extensively in construction and industrial applications.
By Equipment Type: Manual, Mechanized; By Cutting Technology - Plasma cutting, Oxy-fuel cutting, Laser cutting, Waterjet cutting, Carbon arc cutting; By End Use Industry - Construction, Heavy metal fabrication, Shipbuilding & offshore, Automotive, Others; By Type – Equipment, Consumables/Accessories; By Region -
Request for Report Sample: https://www.trendsmarketresearch.com/report/sample/3720
North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa
Carbon dioxide lasers are extensively used in industrial cutting, welding, engraving, and heat treatment.Laser cutting is an affordable technology, and it does away with the need for machining.
Laser cutting is usually preferred over plasma cutting, especially during cutting steel and aluminium sheets. Unlike traditional methods, laser beams do not wear out during the cutting process, enabling quality precision levels. Use of laser technology is also growing in industrial applications, owing totheir efficiency and quick speed than other cutting methods.
Plasma cutting doesn't have as high tolerance levels as laser cutting; however, it is still an ideal fit for tube cutting and outdoor signs. The cost of plasma and laser varies, and the former remains an efficient model for 2D and 3D cutting tasks. Bevel cutting and cutting of gratings is widely done using plasma cutting.
Oxy-fuel Cutting
Oxy-fuel cutting uses a mixture of gases, including oxygen, hydrogen, gasoline, and propane to use thermal cutting in industrial applications. Oxy-fuel is widely used in industrial applications, owing to its benefits, such as low cost equipment, portability, and mechanized operations.
The global cutting equipment market was valued at US$ XX billion in 2018, and it is projected to grow at a CAGR of XX% during the period 2018-2028 to reach US$ XX billion in revenues.
Demand for plasma cutting equipment is anticipated to grow at XX% CAGR during the period 2018-2028. Plasma cutting remains a preferred cutting technology in developing countries, owing to its low cost. Demand for laser cutting equipment is expected to increase at XX% CAGR, whereas demand for oxy-fuel cutting technology will grow at XX% CAGR.
Get Request for Table of Contents: https://www.trendsmarketresearch.com/report/requesttoc/3720
Waterjet cutting technology, although quite popular among end-use industries in developed countries, will lose market share owing to its declining use among industries in Asia Pacific.
Asia Pacific remains key to the global demand for cutting equipment, owing to the high number of industries in the region. It is projected that the region will account for over 40% revenue share of the market by 2024-end. APAC is projected to grow at a CAGR of XX% during the period 2018-2028, whereas markets in North America and Europe will witness sluggish growth during the forecast period.
Leading cutting equipment companies, including The Lincoln Electric Company, Illinois Tool Works, HYPERTHERM INC., KOIKE ARONSON INC., Amada Miyachi America Inc., DAIHEN Corporation, GENTEC (SHANGHAI) CORPORATION, GCE HOLDING AB, and TECHNICAL ARC LTD. and Colfax Corporation, are focusing on consolidating their position in developing countries of Asia Pacific."
Full View of Report Description: https://www.trendsmarketresearch.com/report/cutting-equipment-market


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WALTHAM, Mass., Jan. 22, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) will issue its 2018 fourth quarter and full-year earnings news release at 7 a.m. EST Thursday, Jan. 31, 2019. The release will be posted on Raytheon's website.
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Participants are urged to check the website ahead of time to ensure their computers are configured for the audio stream. Instructions for obtaining the required downloadable software are posted to the site.


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Anatoli Azo - Biography, Date of Birth, Place of Birth, Filmography (Read)
Actors » Actors » Anatoli Azo - Biography, Date of Birth, Place of Birth, Filmography
Anatoli Azo - Biography, Date of Birth, Place of Birth, Filmography
Anatoly Azo - biography, date of birth, place of birth, filmography, clips.
Azo Anatoly Georgievich was born on October 31, 1934 in the city of Leningrad. Anatoly's dad was a mathematics professor who taught at the Leningrad University. The boy received his surname from his grandfather, who was an Estonian by nationality.
After Anatoly's parents divorced, his dad left the boy with him. When the Great Patriotic War began, the father of the future actor went to fight and soon died. Since then, the boy has been raised by his aunt. With her, he was evacuated to Romania. At the end of the war, Anatoly came to Leningrad, where he began to study at a vocational school, which he graduated in 1951. After that, Anatoly Azo worked at the LMZ im. Stalin was a turner by profession. In addition, he began to take a serious interest in theater and tried himself in the People's Theater of the Palace of Culture in Vyborg.
In 1953, Anatoly Georgievich went to serve in the Soviet Army, with which he was demobilized in 1956 and returned to his previous job. For excellent results in the craft of a turner, he was awarded the title of Hero of Socialist Labor.
For a short time, Anatoly Georgievich plays in the troupe of the Drama Theater. Pushkin. He decided to quit the theater due to getting the lead role in the film Tomorrow's Worries. In 1958, the actor graduated from the Theater Institute. Ostrovsky in Leningrad.
After the picture Tomorrow's worries was released, where everyone saw Anatoly Azo in the title role, he was accepted into the theater. Lenin Komsomol in the city of Leningrad. In 1971, Anatoly became a permanent actor at the Lenfilm film studio, where he worked until the nineties.
The main roles of Anatoly Azo brought him fame and recognition. After a period of neglect in the 90s, he was never able to start working in the new system of film production. The actor died on November 25, 2007 due to a stroke.
Anatoly Azo has blue eyes, natural light brown hair color, light skin and medium lips. The shape of the face is oval, the forehead is high, the hair is straight, thick. Anatoly Azo did not change his hair color, preferring natural. The actor has a large narrow nose and a rectangular chin. Anatoly Azo sometimes let go of his mustache. The actor's height is 178 cm, no tattoos.
Zodiac sign - Scorpio (10/31/1934)
Read also about Vladimir Bolotnov.
All Information About: Anatoli Azo - Biography, Date of Birth, Place of Birth, Filmography.
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Day 1: At the start of this current message series, By Faith, we looked at the importance of having a foundation of faith, based upon Luke 6:46-49. Read that passage. True faith results in obedience to Christ, which is like building your house on a rock. Yet when someone professes faith but doesn't obey Jesus, it's like building a house on sand. That house will eventually collapse. Think about what types of activities occupied your time this week. Did those activities include acting on the words of Jesus because you believe what He says? How about the pattern of activities that occupy your life? What kind of foundation would that pattern suggest you are building for your life?
Day 2: Read James 2:14-17. Do you feel the gravity of James' words? He says faith, if it has no works, is dead. Like the foundation of sand was useless to support the house, faith without any works is powerless and of no effect. This reflects one of the themes of the book of James; that authentic Christian faith means that believers have a responsibility to practice what we preach. We should not be like the person who says, "Go in peace, be warmed and be filled," and doesn't choose to help a brother or sister in need. What's one way you think God is calling you to live out your faith this week? Is there a practical need you can meet in someone's life?
Day 3: Yesterday we read that faith, if it has no works, is dead. James is not teaching how to be saved, but how to live once you are saved. Works have nothing to do with securing our salvation. Rather, works are the fruit of the new life God has given believers. Read Ephesians 2:8-10. We are reminded here that salvation is a gift by grace through faith, not a result of works. But notice, that those who have been saved are saved for good works – works that God prepared in advance for us to accomplish. That's an amazing thought -- God has a plan for how your life is to glorify Him. When was the last time you sensed the Holy Spirit prompting you to accomplish a work He's prepared for you to do? Write out the steps you will take today to obey.
Day 4: Read James 2:18-20. James issues a challenge here by saying, prove your faith without showing any works. His argument is that it's not possible. We are to show our faith by our works. Why? Because that's how we glorify God. This is what Jesus was talking about when He said, "Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven." Matthew 5:16. (NASB). This suggests that our works not only glorify God, but they benefit people. Does the way you treat and care for others clearly demonstrate that you have faith? If not, pray and ask God to help you overcome any attitudes or beliefs that prevent you from serving others. For some, the obstacle to overcome could be a failure to truly trust in Jesus Christ. In that case, ask God to grant you genuine faith and a relationship with Jesus. Then reach out to someone within the church who can help you take the next steps in a walk with Jesus.
Day 5: This week we've looked at establishing a rock-solid foundation of faith by not just professing faith only but by practicing what Jesus has commanded. This demonstrates that our faith is not dead, as we accomplish good works that glorify God. What better way to end the week than by looking at Abraham. Read James 2:20-24. James says that Abraham was working out his faith, and as a result of the works, faith was perfected. Perfected means completed. As a result of offering his son Isaac on the alter, Abraham's faith was shown to be complete. That is, the expected fruit of genuine faith actually appeared in his life. Why did Abraham's life produce fruit? Simply put, he believed that God was faithful to do what He had promised. Take some time to recount the ways God has proven Himself faithful to you. Now pray that He will help you live according to what you've seen to be true of Him.


Is the level of child support you are receiving no longer sufficient? Are you seeking more parenting time with your child? Do you wish to move out of state with the kids? Are you unable to support yourself with the alimony you were awarded? These are just a couple of examples of issues that may arise after your divorce is made final.
The Courts recognize that the lives of people are constantly changing. Factors such as financial situation, economic climate, the needs of children, illness, etc. can trigger the need to apply for a modification of an agreement. However, the Courts also encourage the finality of agreements and an application for a modification must be properly prepared and presented by an experienced attorney with the necessary skill in order to succeed.
The family law attorneys at Rotolo Karch Law have the experience to make the correct argument to a court in seeking a modification of a prior agreement or in seeking other relief related to post-divorce issues.
Children have an ongoing right to enjoy a lifestyle commensurate with their parents' lifestyle even after the divorce.
The level of child support is determined according to New Jersey Child Support Guidelines. If expenses rise or if the paying parent's income has risen, a custodial parent may file for an increase in support. A non-custodial parent can seek a reduction if their income has been reduced through no fault of their own, such as an economic downturn or unemployment.
You can petition to alter custody itself or to change specifics of the day-to-day parenting arrangements. Even if you have a court-approved custody agreement, you can subsequently petition to alter the custody arrangements or visitation scheduled. However, if you are seeking sole custody or want to move toward 50 percent of parenting time, you may have to go through a custody determination process.
If a person can show changed circumstances such as an impairment or inability to support themselves, they may make an application to modify their alimony award.


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Nessell International has established itself as the benchmark for luxury property in Switzerland. Well-known and highly esteemed among high-end international clientele, our goal is simple: excellence. We aim for excellence in the properties we offer as well as in the support we provide our customers. We believe that all your requirements and needs are legitimate,and we always maintain high standards. We are able to offer you exceptional properties because our strength as a company is recognized both in Switzerland and abroad. Each of our employees is an expert in his field and makes every effort to ensure the success of your project.
More than simple intermediaries, we see ourselves as advisors. Ourknowledge is based on significant experience in wealth management. We strongly believe thatsuccess is no accident. Rather, success is a product of hard work and exact methodology. As specialistsin Swiss Real Estate, we offer our customers an outstanding knowledge of the market and all of our communication tools. By trusting your investment to Nessell International, you ensure not only the successof your transaction, but the guaranteeof your property's appreciation over the long term.
Moreover, considering that good relationshipsdepend on trust, we provide our international clients with complete discretion and confidentiality, in the simplest Swiss tradition.
For Nessell International, challenges arethe heart of our business: your various requirements keep us engaged. Because service is our credo, we are committed to supporting you throughout the process. Each of our customers around the world is unique and deserves a unique service tailored to their needs and desires. On our part, this means availability, responsiveness and the full involvement of each of your partners in the success of your real estate transaction. It is the love of challenge that distinguishes us and gives us the daily drive to meet your demands.
If you find yourself in this process, and ifour commitment to service attracts you, we invite you to contact us without delay. It's time to bring your project to fruition.
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Happy 2017! Can you believe its been 4 days since New Year? And can you believe that Valentine's day is also just around the corner? That fast! HeyJaey recommends to book and plan ahead if you want to craft lasting memories this Valentine's Day 2017. My friend, Caye Dizon, Programmer Analyst shares with us her 3 day stay experience with Acuatico Beach Resort in Laiya Batangas which is perfect for couples in style and looking for a short luxurious getaway. She and her Boyfriend, Niel, have chosen the said resort to spend their 10th Anniversary last December.
Acuatico is famous for its inviting pool. The couple enjoyed most of their time dipping in the impressive infinity pool.
The resort also features snack bar and refreshing lounges.
While the rest of the extras such as romantic room setup were complimentary. Acuatico also provides water sports activities such as Kayak and Pedal Boat for free to in-house guests. Rates may not sound easy, but for a luxurious 3D2N get away, it sure does sound reasonable!
What do you think? Get mushy with me!
Disclaimer: Prices and information are subject to change without prior notice. This post is not sponsored and is based on guest's 100% hands on / tasting experience and personal views. We may or may not be always on the same page but hey thanks for dropping by anyway! Feel free to drop in some comments/suggestions.
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#NowPlaying: Raquel Rodriguez - "Mile High"
|In Artists
Now here's what I want y'all to do for me – listen, just listen and perhaps listen again. I know sometimes(ok who am I kidding)most of the time you see posts from us on your Social Media Channel of choice and you glance and you don't see a name or a tune that you're familiar with and you keep scrolling. I get it and I especially get it if you are like me of a certain age and raised on radio. That radio does not exist anymore. There is no incentive for that radio to ever come back. So in many ways I can somewhat see how it must have been during those decades of transition from the horse to the horseless carriage. Some people just refuse to let go and are waiting for radio to be what it once was a vessel of discovery for music just like people were holding on to 'Ol Bessie as she got better miles to the gallon than her combustible engine and steel counterpart.
Listen, if radio existed as it did and records could be broken like they were in the days of yore where that one DJ took a chance and flip the record over to the B-side or did some sort of custom mix or just simply loved a song "Mile High" from Raquel Rodriguez would be that kind of record. I love to hear the old guys who were in the music business when it still had some modicum of interest in music talk about "A hit record" as in we cut or got a hit record on artist so and so. I don't know what qualifies as a "hit record" these days but to these ears, this right here is what we used to have back in the old days "A song of the Summer". Oh I know people still refer to that phenomenon as existing but to me "Mile High" captures the essence of how it used to work. There would be a song(actually songs)that would have the right vibe and be released at the right time(right when school was about to get out for the Summer)and from there the movement would begin and the next thing you know cars with the windows down driving by would be playing that song .
That's "Mile High" don't believe me? Press play.
P.S. This is another post dedicated to all the folks out there who go on constantly about "They don't make music like they used to…" sure they do. The real debate is not whether the music is being made but whether or not you are listening or are you complaining because you're looking for this music love in all the wrong places? Turn of that radio turn off that, you know the rest.
Exclusive World Premiere Video: Raquel Rodriguez -…
De La Soul-Stakes Is High
High Cotton by Priceyall (Mix)
Now Playing: Half Mile Home: "This Far"
The Story Behind-"Riding High" Faze-O
Lyric Video: Ledisi: "High"
Mile High Raquel Rodriguez
Exclusive World Premiere Video: Raquel Rodriguez – "Tell Me It's Fine"
#NowPlaying: Tamar Braxton: "My Man"
#NowPlaying: Bryan Michael Cox: "Verbatim"
The Story Behind-"Riding High" Faze-O
#NowPlaying: Leela James: "All Over Again"


Each institution has a vision for meeting its goals and advancing forward while attracting tomorrow's students and the brightest faculty. Insightful planning and student-centric design should incorporate facility flexibility into the vision. This provides the best opportunity for each school or university to excel in student success. The challenge is to deliver learning environments that accommodate evolving technologies and innovative learning environments while still functioning within an institution's goals and budgets.
Medical education facilities have their own unique requirements that are evolving in tandem with changes in our society's healthcare delivery models. Helping students explore not just the academics of human health but also the delivery of that care holds tremendous excitement for the facility design team.
Close collaboration by all stakeholders can result in building design, media technology, communications systems integration and smart interiors planning that transforms a vision for tomorrow in to the campus facilities of today.


The Grades 3-5 ELA Curriculum Modules were developed by Expeditionary Learning. A link to the materials publicly available is on Engage NY.
A link to the webinar hosted by Theresa Gray on September 24th providing an overview of the ELA 3-5 Curriculum Modules is here.
This overview of the modules provided by Expeditionary Learning allows educators to see the content connections as well as the choices that educators have in modules.
Curriculum Maps are provided by grade level to provide an overview of connection to the CCLS and the Instructional Shifts, as well as the sequence of lessons and recommended texts.


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Home / Featured / Quranic Community #3 | Surrounding al-Ḥujurāt
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Quranic Community #3 | Surrounding al-Ḥujurāt
Posted by: Ahmed Hammuda in Featured, Islamic Thought, Latest Islamic, Non-News, Spirituality 27/11/2019 1 Comment
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22
Upon embarking on this transformative journey of al-Ḥujurāt, let us begin with revising our purpose for this undertaking: striving to attain sincere intention to seeking Allāh's face, becoming better slaves to Him, and removing our ignorance and the ignorance of others.
The previous article mentioned the format of this series, which will consist of a multidimensional study with relation to the wider context of the meanings of the Surah, how they relate to one another, the implied messages, application, and reflections. This is all done to achieve our objective of striving to be sincere with our intentions. With the tools of Tafsir and Tadabbur, we can elucidate and apply the central theme that this Surah is centred around: nurturing the behaviour of the Muslim Ummah. Part Three will explore the intricateness and elaborateness of the style, structure, and content of the Surah. It will also highlight how the name and structural features of the Surah are all assimilated and connected with each other.
For the sake of structuring this text and facilitating both learning and delivery for those who wish to teach it, we will go by a suggestive sectioning of the Surah into the following five parts:[1]
Mannerisms with Allāh and His Messenger (sall Allāhu ʿalayhi wa sallam), verses 1-5
Verifying news and obeying righteous leadership, verses 6-8
Dispelling argumentation and reconciling between Muslims, verses 8-10
A general collection of manners and ethics, verses 10-13
The reality of Iman in Allāh, and the most important points and messages, verses 14-18
Seemingly, the Surah is only known by the name 'al-Ḥujurāt'. Unlike many other chapters in the Qur'ān, the vast majority – if not all – of the scholars of Tafsir (Mufassirūn) refer to it by this name. Ibn ʿĀshūr and others report a consensus on this.
The term 'Ḥujurāt' specifically refers to the apartments of the Prophet's wives. There were nine of them in total, built around the Prophet's Masjid and separated with palm leaf stalks. Most were situated on the eastern side of the (now green carpeted) Rawdah. Because Makkah is south of Madinah, the Ḥujrah (singular) of 'Aisha (raḍiy Allāhu ʿanha), in which our beloved Messenger (sall Allāhu ʿalayhi wa sallam) is buried, is positioned to the worshipper's left when facing the Qiblah. Each Ḥujrah was about the size of a small room, with a ceiling around 2.5m high and with a door that lead directly into the Masjid of the Prophet (sall Allāhu ʿalayhi wa sallam).
Connecting the Name with the Theme
The fact the Surah has only this name indicates that it is Tawqīfi, meaning one that is restricted and regulated, thus accepting no change. In all likelihood, it reflects Prophetic stipulation, as the consensus of companions usually indicates. With this in mind, the name deserves a pause and some reflection.
Why is a Surah that primarily addresses mannerisms named 'the Prophet's apartments'? This discussion does not escape the best efforts of deduction as it is by no means exhaustive or absolute. However, returning to the root of the word and referencing its occurrence in the actual Surah may give us a good indication of the association. Allāh says:
إِنَّ الَّذينَ يُنادونَكَ مِن وَراءِ الحُجُراتِ أَكثَرُهُم لا يَعقِلونَ
"As for those who call out to you from outside your private quarters, most of them do not use their intellect."[2]
We can already appreciate the main message of this Surah: perfecting character with Allāh, His Messenger, and with one another. A prerequisite to the perfection of that character, however, is to appreciate the position of Allāh and His Messenger. This also includes exhibiting sound Iman and Taqwa. Those who called out the Messenger (sall Allāhu ʿalayhi wa sallam) were group of Bedouins (covered in detail later) named Banu Tamīm who gathered around the Ḥujurāt of the Prophet (sall Allāhu ʿalayhi wa sallam), raising their voices and making statements that were not befitting of his veneration. They were 'out of character'.
To tie this behaviour with the word, it is necessary to return to its Arabic origin. Though Ḥujurāt refers specifically to the apartments of the wives of the Prophet (sall Allāhu ʿalayhi wa sallam), it comes from the trilateral root Ḥa Ja Ra. This root word means 'to prevent' or 'to seclude', usually a piece of land using bricks or rock in order to demarcate it or to prevent access.
Thus, it is as if that harshness or careless treatment of the Prophet (sall Allāhu ʿalayhi wa sallam) was a result of their hearts exhibiting the hardness of the same stone used to build the Ḥujurāt, barring their hearts from commanding better treatment. In English, 'hard-heartedness' is used to emphasise coldness, brashness, and indifference. In this case, it is to the eminence of the addressee. Allāh says regarding the hearts of some of the Bani Isra'il:
ثُمَّ قَسَت قُلوبُكُم مِن بَعدِ ذٰلِكَ فَهِيَ كَالحِجارَةِ أَو أَشَدُّ قَسوَةً ۚ وَإِنَّ مِنَ الحِجارَةِ لَما يَتَفَجَّرُ مِنهُ الأَنهارُ ۚ وَإِنَّ مِنها لَما يَشَّقَّقُ فَيَخرُجُ مِنهُ الماءُ ۚ وَإِنَّ مِنها لَما يَهبِطُ مِن خَشيَةِ اللَّهِ ۗ وَمَا اللَّهُ بِغافِلٍ عَمّا تَعمَلونَ
"Then your hearts became hardened after that, so they were like rocks (Ḥijārah) or even harder still. There are some rocks from which rivers gush out, and others which split open and water pours out, and others which crash down from fear of Allāh. Allāh is not unaware of what you do."[3]
There is an inseparable link between their limited exposure to the Messenger of Allāh (sall Allāhu ʿalayhi wa sallam), their newness to Islam, and their engagement in the bad mannerisms alluded to earlier. Harshness, bluntness, argumentation, and backbiting have cultivated in their hardened hearts. Their hearts were 'prevented' (taḥajjarat) from softening to his eminence and presence (sall Allāhu ʿalayhi wa sallam). It is thus named al-Ḥujurāt to negate the humanity of those who do not appropriately revere the Prophet (sall Allāhu ʿalayhi wa sallam).[4] This is one of the dimensions the name of the Surah can be associated with its substance.
Time of Revelation
There is more or less agreement that al-Ḥujurāt was revealed in the Madani era. A minority of scholars have suggested that verse 13 (concerning Taqwa) was revealed before the Hijrah. Others have attempted to reconcile this difference by stating that verse 13 was revealed in Makkah but after the conquest of Makkah. Thus, the verse could be Makki by way of where it was revealed, but Madani by its nature.
Expounding slightly on this, every verse revealed after the Hijrah can be considered Madani regardless of where it was physically revealed. Scholars of Tafsir thus reason that the differentiation of Makki and Madani is based on 'time of revelation', rather than a particular 'place of revelation'. More precisely, the Surah was revealed in what is known as 'Ām al-Wufūd (Year of the Delegates) in the 9th year of the Hijrah, and is therefore one of the last chapters of the Qur'ān to be revealed.
An obvious question poses itself here. People have been Muslim for a long period of time and al-Ḥujurāt, without doubt, covers certain matters pertaining to this reality. But how is it that certain fundamental manners and ethics are being discussed in the very latter part of the Sīrah? Surely many instructions in the Qur'ān had already been revealed and implemented; did the companions need such elementary character building?
To answer this question, one must first explore the 'Year of the Delegates'. During this phase of the Sīrah, it had been several years since the Muslims managed to repel an Arab-wide coalition against Madinah during the Battle of the Trench (al-Khandaq). Makkah was likewise conquered, and the Muslims had only recently returned from the Expedition of Tabuk in which the Roman 'superpower' failed to turn up and put up a fight.
The Arabs surrounding Madinah were naturally in awe of the Prophetic community. It had now established itself as the power bloc of Arabia, fearless in the face of the empires the Arabs had traditionally cowered before. Political ties began to turn in favour of the Muslims.
In response, many tribes began to send delegations to the Prophet (sall Allāhu ʿalayhi wa sallam) renouncing their traditional beliefs and accepting Islam. Droves began entering the religion of Allāh. Many, however, still carried pre-Islamic tendencies and ignorant habits. Some had accepted Islam because of its new political dominance, while others did so for their own ulterior motives. Many were still carrying the baggage of Jāhiliyyah.
Al-Ḥujurāt would specifically establish true Iman in the hearts of this new cohort of Muslims entering Islam in droves, nurturing their character (akhlāq) to fall in line with the teachings of Islam.
Link to Surrounding Chapters
The ordering of the Qur'ān is not haphazard. It is divinely inspired and full of wisdom. Let us take a moment to contemplate the placement of al-Ḥujurāt. Towards the end of Surat al-Fatḥ, the 48th chapter placed before al-Ḥujurāt, Allāh says:
مُحَمَّدٌ رَسولُ اللَّهِ ۚ وَالَّذينَ مَعَهُ أَشِدّاءُ عَلَى الكُفّارِ رُحَماءُ بَينَهُم ۖ تَراهُم رُكَّعًا سُجَّدًا يَبتَغونَ فَضلًا مِنَ اللَّهِ وَرِضوانًا
"Mohammad is the Messenger of Allāh, and those who are with him are fierce to the disbelievers, merciful to one another. You see them bowing and prostrating, seeking Allāh's good favour and His pleasure."[5]
Just before the commencement of al-Ḥujurāt, we find that Allāh praises the Holy Prophet (sall Allāhu ʿalayhi wa sallam) and those with him who supported and propped him and his cause. Accordingly, the beginning of al-Ḥujurāt outlines the sublime manners of the Prophet (sall Allāhu ʿalayhi wa sallam) that will enable the generality of Muslims, or "those who have Iman" (allathīna āmanū) to resemble that category mentioned at the end of al-Fatḥ.[6] In fact, al-Ḥujurāt categorically addresses Islam's new entrants, almost contrasting their behaviour with the companions outlined at the end of al-Fatḥ and furnishing them with the role-models they should aspire to resemble.
What then is the possible link between al-Ḥujurāt and Chapter 50, 'Qāf'? Consider the last verse of al-Ḥujurāt:
إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَعلَمُ غَيبَ السَّماواتِ وَالأَرضِ ۚ وَاللَّهُ بَصيرٌ بِما تَعمَلونَ
"Allāh knows the unseen things of the heavens and the earth. Allāh sees what you do."[7]
Qāf then begins with "Qāf", one of the Qur'ān's separated letters (al-Ḥurūf al-Muqaṭa'ah), the definitive and full meanings of which are reserved to Allāh. In other words, their elaborate meanings are of the "unseen things" (Ghayb) that emphasise man's limited knowledge.
How, then, do the themes of the two chapters of al-Ḥujurāt and Qāf compare? Revisit Qāf and you will identify that its primary focus is on the terrifying episodes of the Day of Reckoning. Allāh says:
وَجاءَت سَكرَةُ المَوتِ بِالحَقِّ ۖ ذٰلِكَ ما كُنتَ مِنهُ تَحيدُ
"The throes of death come revealing the truth. That is what you were trying to evade!"[8]
وَنُفِخَ فِي الصّورِ ۚ ذٰلِكَ يَومُ الوَعيدِ
"The Trumpet will be blown. That is the Day of the Threat."[9]
وَجاءَت كُلُّ نَفسٍ مَعَها سائِقٌ وَشَهيدٌ
"Every self will come together with a driver and a witness."[10]
لَقَد كُنتَ في غَفلَةٍ مِن هٰذا فَكَشَفنا عَنكَ غِطاءَكَ فَبَصَرُكَ اليَومَ حَديدٌ
"'You were heedless of this so We have stripped you of your covering and today your sight is sharp.'"[11]
Until Allāh says:
يَومَ نَقولُ لِجَهَنَّمَ هَلِ امتَلَأتِ وَتَقولُ هَل مِن مَزيدٍ
"On the Day He says to Hell, 'Are you full?' it will ask, 'Are there no more to come?'"[12]
Therefore, if al-Ḥujurāt is centred on the importance of good manners, or the encouragement and enticement (Targhīb) towards embracing them, Qāf is centred on the severe repercussions (Tarhīb) of their negligence. Qāf underlines that neglectful behaviour towards Allāh, His Messenger, and the believers is a serious matter as there are punishing and horrifying days ahead of us. It is on that day that we will see the fruits of our actions and manners.
Linking the Beginning and End
Noticeably, the last verse of al-Ḥujurāt outlines the All-encompassing knowledge of Allāh:
"Allāh knows the unseen things of the heavens and the earth. Allāh sees what you do."[13]
Likewise, the first verse begins by mentioning the knowledge of Allāh:
…وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ سَميعٌ عَليمٌ
"… and have Taqwa of Allāh. Allāh is All-Hearing, All-Knowing."[14]
The chapter and its contents are therefore encapsulated within two reminders of Allāh's knowledge. The latter is of His knowledge of the open and the secret, which is the greatest threat for those in the former who put themselves forward of Allāh and His Messenger, even in their inner dimension.[15] The fact that the Surah is encapsulated in Allāh's knowledge should come as no surprise as it is full of commandments.
Commandments, without doubt, are taxing. The opposite is also true. Gossip is easy, and even entertaining. Backbiting and socially isolating others is desired. Mistreating others is easier than sacrificing in pursuit of their comfort.
It is hard to honour our seniors, lowering our voices in their presence and preserving the reputation of others in their absence, let alone regulate our inward thoughts and suspicions about others. A person may question why they need to carry such a heavy burden. The answer is because it is borne out of Allāh's divine knowledge and infallible legislation. Allāh knows, undoubtedly, that these instructions will benefit rather than stifle us. A load that will definitely benefit us is a load worth bearing.
An "O you who have believed" coupled with a 'do such and such' contains a call that anticipates a response. The activeness of one's response is an illustration of that person's Iman. You are being called based on your Iman. Any hesitation or resentment towards answering is correspondingly an illustration of one's Iman.
May Allāh increase our Iman.
[1] Al-Tarbiyah al-Akhlāqiyyah fī Surat al-Ḥujurāt – Dr. Abdusalam Hamdan al-Lawh – Gaza
[2] Al-Qur'ān 49:4
[3] Al-Qur'ān 2:74
[4] Mahāsin al-Ta'wīl – al-Qāsimi
[5] Al-Qur'ān 48:29
[10] Al-Qur'ān 50:21
[14] Al-Qur'ān 49:1
[15] Nathm al-Durar fī tanāsub al-Suwar – al-Biqā'ī
AL-HUJURAT HUJURAT QURANIC COMMUNITY 2019-11-27
Ahmed Hammuda
Tagged with: AL-HUJURAT HUJURAT QURANIC COMMUNITY
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About Ahmed Hammuda
Ahmed Hammuda is a regular contributor at Islam21c. His interests lie in Qur'anic Tafsir and the field of Middle East Affairs and how they reflect on Muslims living in the West. He is an Electrical Engineer by trade and has been involved in various Da'wah activities over the course of his education and working life. He has transferred the same analytical approach required in engineering into a careful and measured approach in his views and positions.
Nice Information. Keep It Up.


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COVID-19 in Italy: lessons learnt and points for immediate discussion
di Paolo Vineis, Lucia Bisceglia, Francesco Forastiere, Stefania Salmaso, Rodolfo Saracci, Salvatore Scondotto
These notes are strictly personal but express ideas which are shared by a vast community of researchers, including epidemiologists, clinicians, immunologists and lab scientists. This is meant to be a working document.
Possible scenarios for the exit phase of the pandemic period
The papers produced by Neil Ferguson's group at Imperial College have inspired the policies of various countries. One of the most recentproposed that the strategy of bland mitigation involved a high health impact and that a more vigorous strategy of suppression was necessary (1); this strategy was then implemented by many countries. The same study also proposed a strategy of lifting each of the measures at the start of the exit from the lock-down phase. This third strategy of "stop and go" was proposed based on the need of intensive care beds and the predicted number of deceased. In essence, this strategy proposes the implementation of restrictive measures for a certain period of time, and then the lifting of some of the same until the saturation of beds and number of deaths reach unacceptable levels; at that point the measures would be implemented again. The key open questions of this strategy are: which elements of suppression should be lifted and what the duration of each of the two phases should be (stop-and-go).
A more recent paper (2) uses a method of "back calculation" to estimate the impact of the measures taken weeks before, on the basis of the reported number of deaths. It suggests that the containment measures adopted in Italy have been effective, with a value of R0 (the number of infections caused by an infected individual) close to 1 around March 11th. Although the implemented measures vary from country to country, Italy is one of the countries (amongst those analysed) which has implemented them all, that is case isolation at home, social distancing, prohibition of public events, school closures and nationwide lockdown (home isolation for all, all travel banned, only workers of essential services allowed to move). Furthermore, the paper estimates that there have been around 6 million people infected in Italy in total as of March 28th, and that 38.000 deaths have been avoided thanks to the measures taken by the government (but with a wide confidence interval).
As of today, we are observing a progressive decrease in the daily number of cases. It is clear that the effectiveness of the measures that have been put in place and the current deceleration of the epidemic growth curve do not allow for the relaxation of the measures at this time. To this end, modellers are also working on understanding how the relaxing of the different measures of containment (for example social distancing and school closures) can influence the trend and therefore the number of deaths and ICU bed demand. In these estimates, the distribution by age and geographical area are also considered. It is currently too premature to draw conclusions on any practical implications, but this could be the starting point for decisions to be taken. Assuming a large positive effect of the national lock-down, an aggressive action to actively identify and interrupt local transmission has to be planned, overriding the recommendation of limiting viral detection only to symptomatic, severe cases.
The data available for our country clearly identifies the elderly population, with chronic diseases, as being the group most vulnerable to COVID-19. Currently in less affected areas in Southern Italy, outbreaks occur in nursing homes for elderly and disabled. The exit strategy must involve the implementation of a programme of active surveillance that also includes remote monitoring of the health conditions of this population. With every proposed strategy particular attention should be paid to the issue of healthy inequality and access to healthcare.
Scientific data availability from Italy
At present, the national information system of infected cases is managed by Istituto Superiore di Sanita' and Protezione Civile on the basis of the reports made by the regional health services. We believe that the data collected for monitoring the pandemic in Italy should be shared with the research community. We understand that calls for access to data are coming from different parties, and this would greatly upsurge both epidemiological and clinical research and timely contribute to the advancement of science which should guide the response. Amongst the numerous opportunities for research is the need to try and understand why the lethality of the disease appears to be so variable across European areas with the extreme cases of Lombardy (high) and of Germany (low). Several hypotheses have been put forward, none of which is convincing in its own right. In particular we ought to try and understand the role played by the different organisations and primary care resources and the regional management of the epidemic.
A rational use of tests based on the viral RNA detection
There is a broad consensus that the investigation of viral infections secondary to SARS-COV-2 should be aimed at (a) confirming clinical diagnosis (symptomatic cases), (b) confirming recovery, (c) contact tracing and isolation to interrupt the chain of transmission, (d) monitoring the health of those working in environments where they are potentially exposed to infection and could in turn infect other people.
At the peak of a pandemic the priority is to diagnose the symptomatic cases and the confirmation of those in recovery. To contain the spread, it is necessary to find each individual contact and isolate them. The general lock-down will be effective on the currently unidentified infected contacts, but not on the household transmission, so at least the cohabitees of the positive cases ought to be tested. Those working in essential services, in contact with many people, should be periodically tested and isolated if positive. If they test positive their household contacts need to be monitored in the same way as those who are ill. It is a priority to take care of the more vulnerable groups of the population such as care home residents: suspected cases should be isolated as soon as possible (even whilst waiting for the result of the test), hence the importance of monitoring of this group using apps on smartphones (managed by carers) - which will be discussed further on.
The search for those infected in the general population, such as screening through swab testing, is not very efficient as infection does not spread by chance but follows traceable routes of transmission. Testing should be based on prioritisation criteria as follows:
Immediate priority ought to be given to swab all health workers (particularly hospital staff) who have a high infection risk, and then other key workers who are in contact with the public. All the contacts of those who test positive should be tested as well. A negative test for viral RNA is valid only for the moment it is performed, therefore it is also important to monitor early signs and symptoms to isolate the cases.
Accuracy and predictive values must be monitored. It is essential to understand the sensitivity, specificity and predictive values of the laboratory tests. When the prevalence of the infection in the population diminishes (due to the lock-down effect) the predictive values will change. Low sensitivity indicates many false negatives, that is, people reassured by the results but in reality still contagious. Low specificity implies many false positives, and therefore it would be a waste of resources to isolate them and trace their contacts. Low specificity translates into a low positive predictive value (which could be as low as 50%, i.e. if 100 people tested positive only 50 would actually be infected with the virus). Work is being carried out to improve the efficiency of testing of the virus (high-throughput). An appeal signed by almost 300 researchers in Italy has made available the use of laboratories, equipment and staff to undertake wider testing. These are precious resources that ought to be used immediately. With regard to the tests it should be made clear that the test for viral RNA allows for the identification of those who are contagious and the positivity lasts for a maximum of 2-3 weeks, after which the test becomes negative. Commercial rapid tests must undergo validation before extended use.
Early identification of hotspots and use of technology
The search for those infected cannot be carried out by population screening, but in the early stages for hotspot detection, or during the lifting phase of the suppression measures. For example it may be considered during the partial relaxation of the lock-down. In the preparation for a second peak in the autumn active identification of the cases and contact tracing must be reinforced as they will be crucial. With regards to the CFCT methods (case finding contact tracing) there have been innovative approaches also in Italy that should be harmonised and made widely available. For example, the use of an app for the early detection of symptoms would allow for a prompt isolation. Infection prevention and control in the household is one of the elements that the WHO has identified as critical, due to both the high risk of intra-family transmission and the clinical management of the cases. Isolation in structures such as requisitioned hotels should be considered, where not only those infected and their contacts can be isolated but also infected healthcare workers, thus allowing for care provision.
A task force of the Ministry of Innovation and Digitalisation (MID) is working on solutions for the active tracking of movements through the use of mobile phones and possibly an app that would bring together all three functions: the CFCT, telemedicine and data gathering. Restrictions due the law on confidentiality and individual data protection are a limiting factor in EU, compared to other countries and we will need to work keeping in mind our settings
Research on immunity response to the infection
Various groups are working on developing assays for the assessment of the antibody response. Antibodies, unlike viral RNA detection tests, are indicators of an immune response to infection. They do not indicate whether someone is still contagious and they cannot be used for CFCT, except to trace people who have already had the infection and therefore may be protected. However, there are many aspects which need clarification, such as the sensitivity and specificity of the antibody methods and the duration and extent of the protection conferred by the antibodies measured.
Coordination of the informative systems
In addition to the number of positive results and the number of deaths attributed to COVID-19 that health administrative units gather on a daily basis and send to Istituto Superiore di Sanita' and Protezione Civile, what has also proved useful is the surveillance of the daily death toll commissioned by the Ministry of Health. The first completed report for the 2019-2020 season was published by the journal Epidemiologia e Prevenzione (3). The system was launched for the monitoring of mortality due to heatwaves and concerned 33 municipalities (all the province capitals and municipalities with over 250,000 inhabitants). As of today only 19 provide up-to-date data. An extension of this system to 1800 municipalities (approximately 20% of all Italian municipalities) has been provided recently.
The integration of all healthcare information systems with the surveillance systems of cases and contacts, would be essential not only to monitor the efficiency and efficacy of the surveillance itself but also to analyse the risk factors for the incidence and lethality of COVID-19. It is worth remembering that a decree which provides for the integration of all the information systems available at national level has already been issued in 2017, but since then there has been no progress in the interconnection of the systems and their operation.
Population sample and estimate of prevalence
Many, including the WHO, have suggested carrying out a statistical survey of the population with different aims: (a) to monitor and study behaviour during the lock-down; (b) to estimate the prevalence of the infection or of immunity. A study using swab testing would offer an estimate of the number of infected at a given moment and strictly depends on the phase of the epidemic in which it is undertaken. It does not seem to be useful at this moment even though it was very informative in Vo' Euganeo.
There is an increasing interest in seroprevalence studies aimed to identify "immune" subjects, also to be allowed to go back to working settings and possibly re-start economy. However, even the worst case scenario has estimated the number of infected subjects in Italy to be 10% of the entire population. With such low prevalence any further individual decision will be problematic.
If different initiatives are to be undertaken, the Italian Association of Epidemiology is proposing a common "core" protocol for study through serological (antibody) tests, according to the WHO template in order to allow collation of obtained results
We hope that we can reach rapid consensus on these points and that we may pass to the implementation phase.
I thank Francesca Burns, Marina Davoli, Ruggero De Maria and Paola DiGiulio for the exchange of ideas and experiences.
di Stefano Caserini
di Cinzia Perrino
di Francesco Forastiere
di Guido Poli
di Elisa Vicenzi
di Luca Carra
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Estonians are at their funniest when they take the piss out of themselves. In the words of DJBB, "no other people on this planet quite as proud of all its pain".
Anyway, this is almost as good as Wabariik.
I have to divide my brain in half to enjoy this clip. It was humorous. Why do I feel so bad?


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