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Q: Spring alert mail system for Null pointer exception I am looking for Spring alert mail system for Null pointer exception or any other unchecked Exception that are created in my project, so that I can have alerts of something going wrong in the app. Currently I am using spring boot. I also want Request Json to be sent in the mail, so that I can analyse if Request JSON has some data which might be creating any error.
Initially I was thinking of using @RestControllerAdvice for @ExceptionHandler(value = Exception.class) & calling instance of JavaMailSender.send() but problem is that the method (say handleOtherException(Exception ex)) will take only Exception ex as argument & I also want incoming Request to be added in mail.
I tried adding one parameter as shown below:
protected ResponseEntity<Object> handleOtherException(Exception ex,@RequestBody Student s1)

But I got below error:
java.lang.IllegalStateException: Could not resolve method parameter at index 1 in protected org.springframework.http.ResponseEntity<java.lang.Object> com.example.demo.GlobalExceptionHandler.handleOtherException(java.lang.Exception,com.example.demo.Student) throws com.fasterxml.jackson.core.JsonProcessingException: No suitable resolver for argument 1 of type 'com.example.demo.Student'

I have also tried looking in github but couldn't find any such thing. Please suggest any code or approach to tackle this problem.

A: Use the concept of ExceptionWrapping in combination with the Exception Handler.
Hereby you can define a lets say ResponseException - Object that wraps the actual exception and stores additional information like the original request or a more user specific error massage.
In the Exception-Controller you can send this wrapped exception back to the client.
The advantage is that you have only write one interface for exception handling. The wrapping is done on server-side and the client visits/handles the recieved exception based on their specific properties.
You got it almost right, there must be an additional method on server-side that generates the response object from the caught exception.
On the client site, you can for example use the Visitor-Pattern to handle the different types of exceptions.

A: In Addition to Panzerkroete's answer you should add your own customized ExceptionHandler
just like below
@ControllerAdvice
public class ExceptionHandler {

    @ExceptionHandler
    @ResponseStatus(HttpStatus.BAD_REQUEST)
    @ResponseBody
    public CustomResponse handle(BadRequestException badRequest) {
        return getResponse(badRequest);
    }

    public CustomResponse getResponse(Exception exception) {
        CustomResponse customResponse = new CustomResponse(exception.getMessage());
        //Call Mail Api with customResponse Object
        return customResponse;
    }
}

add CustomResponse class which will contain error details
add custom BadRequestException which will extends RuntimeException
now you just need to throw null pointer any other unchecked Exception(In above case throw BadRequestException) which will in turn call ExceptionHandler

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Published at Monday, April 15th, 2019 - 01:02:41 AM. Storage Cabinet. By Yvonna Briand.
Most of these kids metal storage units come in traditional as well as modern designs. While most of them are fancy and colorful to suit your kid's preference and taste, they are also known for their durability and style, and you would love the neat and tidy look of your kids room when they are not busy playing with their stuff.


At the time of writing there is a drive-away deal of $139,500 for the Ram 2500 Laramie, which buys a large road footprint and the brawn to move it quickly.
The big US six-seater dual cab ute asks around $15,000 more than the top-spec LandCruiser 200 Sahara diesel but there's a features list to bring the price tag into something approaching perspective.
It sits on 18-inch alloy wheels with 265/70 Michelin tyres and the infotainment system is accessed with a colour 8.4 inch Uconnect touchscreen familiar – for better or worse – from other products within the Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) family.
Much of the car's features and functions are controlled from the touchscreen – phone, radio, USB and Bluetooth media inputs, even the trailer brakes, front seat heating and cooling, the latter having been switched over to RHD on the dash-mounted buttons but still in LHD format within the touchscreen menus.
Also within the touchscreen system is satellite navigation, although on more than one occasion it was confused about its location and took a "stop, ignition off, lock and walk away" pause – seen by some as the automotive equivalent of a hard reset – to shake the foggy memory.
The seating is expansive and trimmed in leather, with ten-way power adjustment for the driver (with memory) and six way adjustment for the front passenger, as well as a heated, leather-wrapped steering wheel with integrated audio controls behind the spokes, as well as cruise, phone and centre display controls on the front.
The features list also includes remote central locking (including the tailgate), remote engine start-stop, dual zone climate control, tinted power windows, a nine speaker sound system with a subwoofer taking up some of the underfloor storage under the rear seat, which is covered by a clever fold out lid to double as a storage space.
The centre stack also has a 240-volt 100w inverter for domestic power plug use (with an Australian three-pin) and there are power-folding heated exterior mirrors, a sunroof, a rear sliding window.
Space is not the final frontier but a given something this big (it is a bit like piloting the Enterprise, or the U.S.S. Nimitz) and after you've made the climb up the standard side steps, the cavernous interior awaits, re-engineered for right-hand drive with a major dashboard refit using locally-made components for a clean fit in its new guise.
Much of the switchgear has made the journey across to the right hand side, although the integrated brake controller, which is easy to use, remains toward the left-hand side of the centre stack.
Tilt only steering isn't ideal but the ability to adjust the pedal box, as well as a reasonable range of adjustment for the driver's seat means a serviceable driving position is possible.
The driver can still easily reach most of the buttons for tow/haul mode and the exhaust brakes, as well as the rotary dial for the 4WD system.
The driver gets a stack of information from the centre display and secondary gauges, including the diesel and urea tank levels, as well as boost and exhaust brake information, towing set-up and other engine readouts.
There's also a broad centre console and armrest (where the USB input is for the sound system), which can be folded up to reveal the sixth seat between the two front occupants if required.
The rear seats fold up or down for gear storage in lieu of passengers, with some underfloor storage and large door pockets also offering no shortage of interior storage.
The heart beating beneath the 6m long behemoth's snout is a growling but smooth turbocharged 6.7-litre Cummins diesel overhead valve in-line cast-iron six-cylinder engine responsible for delivering 276kW at 2800rpm and mammoth 1084Nm at 1600rpm, a torque figure possessed by only a handful of vehicles on the market in Australia.
The 24-valve engine is fed by high-pressure injection and a variable-geometry turbocharger, as well as using a particle filter and what Ram calls a 'next generation' diesel exhaust fluid urea SCR system to clean up oxides of nitrogen emissions.
There's also the brand's Active Air intake system which monitors ambient conditions to draw air from the best source – the grille or the lower bumper intake – and an exhaust brake to reduce the workload for the disc brakes.
Fuel use during our time in the 3.5-tonne ute wasn't frugal, as it drank from the 117-litre tank at a rate of 18 litres per 100km with a 28km/h average speed a number that includes some low-range 4WD work, serious towing work and suburban sprawl commuting.
Cruising on the open road with minimal load aboard would see that number drop out of the teens without doubt, with the six-speed column-shift (still on the RH side of the steering column) 6th gear translating to around 1200rpm when hovering around the state speed limit.
But previous experience in a diesel V8 LandCruiser suggests that number would be within the realms of possibility with a similar workload, and the Ram can pull a lot more if so desired.
Normally something as big as the Ram with numbers on the side has aircraft landing on its roof, but the drive experience is less nautical than expected.
There's not a leaf spring in sight under the rump – that's the 3500's realm, which has a payload closer to two tonnes and requires drivers to have a truck licence.
The 2500 has a three-link coil-spring front suspension layout and a five-link coil-spring rear suspension, boasting multi-rate coils and heavy-duty twin tube dampers mounted in the outboard position.
The high-strength steel ladder-frame chassis emits little creaking when working the ute hard, but laden or unladen, the live axle set-up can get unruly over rigorous road ruts and bumps.
Certainly you'd expect this from a truck of this ilk, and perhaps a bit more localisation work on dampers and springs might settle it down, but the engineering team has – in the course of the changeover to right-hand-drive – taken some of the vagueness from the front end.
A thicker sway bar and changes to the steering and pedal set-up all appear to have been properly re-done for RHD, even down to re-engineering the footwell to allow for a footrest – something the parent brand had been unable to achieve in right-hand drive vehicles ex-factory.
Off-road clearance is on the low side and a low-slung front trim piece brings concerns on narrow rutted tracks, as does the chance of hanging the big American up on something underneath, but if powering out of trouble is the best course of action, then there's no shortage of grunt to shove the Ram.
A listed approach angle of 21.8 degrees, 18.2 degrees ramp-over and a 22.3-degree departure angle aren't the worst off-road numbers, but clearance of 188mm and hefty curb weight isn't class-leading.
Also restricting its off-road use is the physical size, although a 13.4m turning circle is only 0.3m wider than a Jeep Wrangler Unlimited four-door.
Engine braking when in low-range first gear wasn't really effective enough, but this machine is more about towing and toiling than taking things off the beaten track.
With a 50mm ball on the tow bar, towing capacity is rated at 3500kg braked and a laden horse float didn't exceed that but still represented a significant load.
The tow/haul mode teams the auto (that changes down earlier) with the clever exhaust brakes to minimise work for the disc brakes given the size of the truck, it tracks comfortably and pulls up without concern on steep downhills.
Ascents and flat-road running are completed without any need for slow vehicle lanes, easily maintaining posted speed limits even on steeper sections of open road.
A 70mm towball ups the maximum braked load to 4500kg more serious towing apparatus in the spray-lined tray (which is nearly 2m long, half a metre deep and 1295mm wide between the wheel arches) adds more than two tonnes to that number.
Four-wheel disc brakes with twin-piston callipers fore and aft, backed by multi-mode and clever exhaust brakes provide excellent stopping performance and an important safety feature for a vehicle focused on towing.
The driver also has an integrated dash-mounted trailer brake controller, tailored from the touchscreen to suit the braking system in operation on the trailer.
It hasn't made the switch to the RH side of the vehicle but it's still just within reach to allow the driver to adjust the amount of force being applied to the trailer brakes.
Teamed up with the automatic transmission that has a "tow/haul" mode, the exhaust brakes take plenty of the load when required on steep downhill sections.
The system even has merit when not towing, allowing gentle descents without a touch of the brake pedal, which will no doubt appreciate the break from having to bring 3.5 tonnes to a halt on a regular basis, a process which does require a solid shove from the driver.
Electronic safety aids include stability control with a trailer sway mitigation function, as well as front, front-side and curtain airbags and a tyre pressure monitoring system.
The Ram also gets automatic headlights and rain-sensing wipers, front and rear parking sensors, two rear cameras (one on the rear bumper and one above the rear tray for goosenecks hitching) and an adjustable auto-dimming centre mirror.
Warranty coverage stands at three years or 100,000km – which ever comes first.
There is no doubt the extra effort involved in bringing the steering wheel across to the right side of the car has paid off for those bringing Ram to Australia.
The engineering and attention to detail makes the Ram a better drive and while it is an extra $15,000 over a top-spec LandCruiser 200 diesel, the considerable towing prowess will be worth the extra outlay for those hauling big loads on a daily basis.
Some extra attention in the spring and damper department would complete an accomplished package.
Ford F-250 Lariat dual-cab, from $149,990 before on-road costs.
The best selling pick-up on the planet and a top-seller in its home market, the 'Effy' cranks out an enormous 328kW and 1166Nm from its 6.7-litre diesel V8 and runs a similar six-speed auto with part-time 4WD system. It is also similarly well-equipped and, depending on the tow bar set-up, is rated to 5000kg braked towing.
Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD LTZ, from $144,990 before on-road costs.
Not quite punching as hard as the Ford, the Chev is still not short of grunt with 296kW and 1037Nm of torque from its 6.6-litre diesel V8, which also runs a six-speed auto and part-time 4WD. The Chevy's towing capacity is down a little on the Ford, but well above the norms for Australia. There's at least 4500kg of braked towing capacity depending on what's fitted to the tail for towing.


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Home Arts Around Town: Coastal North County events, June 2016
Around Town: Coastal North County events, June 2016
June 3 through July 4: "Mad About the Fair," based on the Lewis Carroll classic "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland," is the theme of the San Diego County Fair opening at 4 p.m. on Friday, June 3, and continuing through Monday, July 4 at the Del Mar Fairgrounds. (The fair is closed on Mondays, except July 4, and the first two Tuesdays.) The fair features many special events and concerts. For more information, visit www.sdfair.com.
June 6: North Coast Repertory Theatre in Solana Beach presents "Love, Loss and What I Wore," a play of monologues and ensemble pieces featuring Marion Ross and Mariette Hartley and based on the bestselling book by Ilene Beckerman. The performance starts at 7:30 p.m. with a reception featuring wine and hors d'oeuvres starting at 6 p.m. Tickets for the reception and performance are $100. The tax-deductible portion of the ticket is $60.
June 7: North Coast Repertory Theatre in Solana Beach presents "Our American Hamlet." Six months after Abraham Lincoln is assassinated by John Wilkes Booth, his brother Edwin decides to make a comeback and perform Hamlet on Broadway. Admission is free with donations accepted at the door. The show starts at 7:30 p.m.
June 13: Spend an evening with the beautiful, damaged, poetic, joyous, petty, coarse and tyrannical characters of Chekhov in "Chekhov UnScripted" at North Coast Repertory Theatre in Solana Beach. The show starts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $25.
June 14: ViaSat provides a free veteran's transition workshop to help military veterans transition to the civilian workforce. The event takes place from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the ViaSat Multipurpose Room, 6155 El Camino Real in Carlsbad.
June 15 – July 2: Moonlight Stage Productions at the Moonlight Amphitheatre in Vista puts on "Sister Act," the hit musical based on the Whoopi Goldberg film. Tickets are $23 to $55 for all reserved seating, and $8 to $20 for general admission lawn seating. The shows start at 8 p.m. To purchase tickets or for more information, call 760-724-2110 or visit moonlightstage.com.
June 16: The 2016 season of Encinitas Classic Car Cruise night continues in downtown Encinitas at the Encinitas Smog Center at the intersection of 101 and F Street. Hundreds of vintage vehicles from all over San Diego will be parked and cruising from late afternoon until 8 p.m. This month's attractions are Mopar Car Club of San Diego (Dodge, Chrysler & Plymouth), San Diego Mini Car Club and Vintage Motorcycles at Charlie's Foreign Car — plus live music. For more information on the event or sponsorship, visit Encinitas101.com or call 760-943-1950.
June 18: Children (and parents) are invited to celebrate summer at the annual Fairy Festival at the Hamilton Children's Garden at San Diego Botanic Gardens in Encinitas from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Fairy Festival features fairy- and garden-themed crafts; a fairy queen; and musical entertainment. Food is provided by Leucadia Pizza and Rita's Italian Ice. Youngsters are welcome to dress up in fairy costumes. The Fairy Festival is free with paid admission or membership.
June 25: Scripps Health will host a free public celebration for local cancer survivors, families, friends and the community at large at Scripps Memorial Hospital Encinitas. The event is part of Scripps' 25th annual observance of National Cancer Survivors Day. The program is open to anyone affected by cancer, regardless of where treatment was received. The celebration will include inspirational stories of survival, presentations on advances in cancer care and research, a healthy cooking demonstration, complimentary brunch, live musical entertainment and opportunities to connect with caregivers and fellow survivors. Register by calling 800-727-4777.
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Carlsbad Native Devon Pinto: A Survivor Making Other Plans
Cal State San Marcos Professor Receives 2018 Wang Family Excellence Award
Horse euthanized at opening day at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club
San Diego County Fair now fifth-largest in the nation
Pedestrian struck and killed on I-5 in Oceanside
California Chrome wins Pacific Classic
Old seamlessly meets new in the Village
Seaside Courier music calendar — June 2016

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Academic advising creates an educational environment with relationships that support students in discovering their passions and facilitates student's understanding of the meaning and purpose of higher education and promotes intellectual and personal development toward academic success and lifelong learning.
Advisors initiate discussions with their advisees in the areas noted.
First Year: Exploration Who am I?
Second Year: Reflection Who do I really want to become?
Third Year: Clarification What is my place in the world?
Fourth Year: Transition How can I shape a changing world?


Was Bubba Bixby born big and mean, full of teeth and ready to bite? Or did he grow into being that way? In this 4-book series, super-nerd Nolan Byrd comes to the rescue of his classmates (and himself) and in the process unveils the answer. Bullies beware! Shredderman is watching.
Click here for Free Teacher Support Materials for all Shredderman books.
Someone's spraying graffiti and the police don't seem to be able to stop them. In the name of truth and justice, it's Shredderman to the rescue!
A sneaky reporter, a television star, and a new sidekick--word is spreading across the nation about Shredderman. Will Nolan lose his secret identity?
Nolan helps the police break up an international spy ring but Bubba is onto him. Is it curtains for Shredderman? The exciting conclusion to the series.
Looking for more? The Gecko & Sticky series stars the "real-life" characters from Nolan's favorite TV show. Readers will meet the deadly, diabolical Damien Black, the reluctant superhero Dave Sanchez, and his hilarious sidekick--the one and only kleptomaniacal (ahem, sticky-fingered) talking gecko lizard--Sticky.
 these adventures make any reader want to reach for the superhero inside.
Book #1 (Villain's Lair) Summary: Dave Sanchez discovers that the gecko hiding behind his bookcase can talk. And has a magic wristband. One that will allow him to walk on walls. Or gain super strength. Or go invisible. Or fly. Asombroso! All Dave needs is to retrieve some magic ingots hidden in the dungeon of the dastardly, diabolical Damien Black. Dangerous, but… what boy doesn't want to fly? Dave is in trouble now. Big, big trouble.
Book #2 (Greatest Power) Summary: On a quest to right a bank heist, Dave and Sticky are lured through the city's sewer network and find themselves entering the underbelly of Damien Black's monstrous mansion. Ay-ay-ay! Inside the mansion, they encounter the bumbling Bandito Brothers, the sinister Snake Alarm, and learn what's behind a blood red door. They also come face to fur with Damien's Java-Junkie Monkey, only to learn that he, too, is trouble. Big, big trouble.
Book #3 (Sinister Substitute) Summary: Dave's snarky science teacher goes missing. Excelente picante! However, Dave soon discovers that bemeath the substitute's deceptive disguises beats a wicked heart. A heart that returns each night to a maniacal mansion where a certain science teacher is being held captive. The only way to give the sub the slip is to save the science teacher. Ay-ay-ay. Yes, Dave is in trouble again. Big, big trouble.
Book #4 (The Power Potion) Summary: Sick of trying to reclaim the magic wristband, the dastardly, dangerous and decidedly devious Damien Black commissions a potion to give him super strength. Holy tacarole! We can't have that! So Dave and Sticky go to intercept the delivery, only to find themselves going up against tree-climbing goats, terrifying tarantulas, and one hyped-up Java-Junkie Monkey. Yes, our heroes are in trouble again. Big, big trouble.


text:
614 Warwick Rd
-- Beds, 2 Baths, 1,209 sqft
614 Warwick Rd is a single family residence located in Baltimore, MD 21229. Built in 1940, this property features 2 bathrooms, 6,000 sq ft lot, and 1,209 sq ft of living space. The estimated market value for 614 Warwick Rd is $325,000.
For the surrounding community of Baltimore, MD 21229, the average sale price for similar homes to 614 Warwick Rd is $107,904. The nearby schools are above average and include Arbutus Middle, Catonsville High and Halethorpe Elementary. The overall crime risk for this area is very high with 16 criminal and sex offenders residing within 1 mile. The natural disaster risk for this area includes very low earthquake risk, high tornado risk, and minimal flood risk.
Property Details: 614 Warwick Rd
County: Baltimore
Subdivision: KENSINGTON
Heating Type: RADIANT
Cooling Type: YES
Architecture: CONVENTIONAL
12/2/2002 Sold $105,000 $87 Public Records
2017 $3,245 (+1.38%) $0 $0 $234,133
2015 $2,900 (+1.72%) $57,200 $111,400 $168,600
2012 $2,885 $0 $0 $192,800
610 Warwick Rd, Baltimore, MD 21229
The average sales price of homes similar to 614 Warwick Rd is $107,904 ($90/sq.ft.)
4505 Wilkens Ave $219,900 01/06/2020 $183 1,200 sq.ft. -- Bed, 2 Bath 0.4 mi away
755 N Edgewood St $65,000 01/06/2020 $56 1,152 sq.ft. -- Bed, 1 Bath 2.1 mi away
126 N Monastery Ave $50,000 12/31/2019 $42 1,178 sq.ft. -- Bed, 1 Bath 1.6 mi away
239 N Culver St $41,800 12/31/2019 $33 1,280 sq.ft. -- Bed, 2 Bath 1.8 mi away
792 Charing Cross Rd $165,000 12/31/2019 $148 1,116 sq.ft. -- Bed, 2 Bath 1.9 mi away
12 N Culver St $65,000 12/31/2019 $51 1,280 sq.ft. -- Bed, 1 Bath 1.5 mi away
4512 Rokeby Rd $93,000 12/31/2019 $73 1,280 sq.ft. -- Bed, 1 Bath 1.7 mi away
1107 Lyndhurst St $175,000 12/31/2019 $154 1,140 sq.ft. -- Bed, 1 Bath 2.1 mi away
1027 Haverhill Rd $117,000 12/31/2019 $88 1,332 sq.ft. -- Bed, 3 Bath 1 mi away
4107 Rokeby Rd $75,000 12/31/2019 $73 1,024 sq.ft. -- Bed, 1 Bath 2 mi away
3715 Greenvale Rd
4877 Melbourne Rd
3732 Old Frederi...
26 N Kossuth St
4378 Parkton St
The property at 614 Warwick Rd is located in Baltimore in Baltimore City County, Maryland. With interior space of 1,209 square feet, and a lot that has 6,000 square feet, 614 Warwick Rd, Baltimore, MD 21229 is a Single Family Residence
As of 12/2019, 114 properties were in some stage of foreclosure or bank-owned in the zip code surrounding 614 Warwick Rd Baltimore Maryland 21229IF(1,070|, and 1,070 properties were in in some stage of foreclosure or bank-owned in Baltimore. 614 Warwick Rd is in a state where 5,839 properties were in some stage of foreclosure or bank-owned as of 12/2019, while there were 377,532 properties in some stage of foreclosure or bank-owned nationwide.


We work with a national board of expert independent Financial Advisors who will be able to give you informed advice no matter what loan you are looking. Whether you need personal or business loans there will be options available to you.
There are various loans available depending on your circumstances. Whether you need to bridge the gap between properties, consolidate current debts or even home improvements we can help. So whether the personal loan you are looking at is secured, unsecured or bridging the team will have a lender that will fit your personal needs.
As well as this they can also help with business loans. For example building new properties, there is also options available to you for that. However, with development finance, it is aimed at specialists within that area. This normally requires experience within developing properties. But there could be options available if you are looking to get into property development.
If you are interested in any of these loans there is more information please give us a call today and we will talk you through what options are available.


text:
Taumalolo's decision silly
Re: Jason Taumalolo's decision
Is this the beginning of the end for rugby league players to follow rugby union to play for one country for life?
I am not at all surprised if New Zealand and Australia would start to pursue with Rugby League International to stop the rot.
Jason Taumalolo reason of objection is uncalled for as the two he wants to protect were involved with some banned substance namely cocaine which is a hard core banned substance.
Andrew Fifita also had some disciplinary issues in the recent past that Australia Rugby League had to take against him and his brother after the Australia public had an uproar stemming from a junior rugby league game the two as spectators and supporters were involved in a violent result.
I for one support the freedom of rugby league players to play for another country if not required.
But for Taumalolo and Fifita snub, it's so, so silly.
Joe Hollywood


text:
I'm A Mormon. Pop Culture Often Mocks My Faith, But Fallout Treated It Right
Skip Cameron
I'm a 31-year-old, fifth-generation Mormon (member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) from Salt Lake City, Utah and I love video games.
I've been playing since my parents brought home the original NES with Track & Field, Duck Hunt, and The Legend of Zelda. Unlike most of my friends I never "grew out" of video games and love them today as much or more than I did as a kid. Among my many loves (Demon's Souls, Half-Life 2, Total Annihilation, Mass Effect) stand two games I just can't get enough of: Fallout 3 and Fallout: New Vegas.
I must say that I was surprised how my religion was featured in the most recent Fallout I played.
I had never heard of Fallout until 2010 when I noticed my friend's little brother had logged over 125 hours in Fallout 3 on his Steam account. Intrigued, I rented Fallout 3 and was instantly hooked in that rare and wonderful way that happens when you experience something truly new and wholly captivating. I plowed through it on my PS3. I would get up at 5:00am to play before the kids woke up and the work day started, logging some 40 hours in the 10 or so days it took me to complete the main story. When I returned the game I was dogged by how many locations and quests I had to leave unexplored and unfulfilled due to my limited rental window.
After building a gaming desktop for my birthday and getting both New Vegas and Fallout 3: GOTY on the Steam Summer Sale, I knew I was in for a pair of very special treats. I have since logged over 200 hours in Fallout 3 and another 130 in Fallout: New Vegas.
Mormons of the Wasteland
As a Mormon, I am much more accustomed to seeing my religion portrayed in unflattering and even disrespectful ways in entertainment media ("Fort Joe Smith" in Starship Troopers comes to mind, as does The Book of Mormon Broadway musical and HBO's Big Love series) than to seeing any positive or deferential representations. Hence, when I came across The Old Mormon Fort outside New Vegas it naturally piqued my curiosity as to how it would be featured. Would the game's developers at Obsidian take the well-worn road of clichéd irony by making The Old Mormon Fort some den of hypocritical debauchery or zealous extremism, or would they do something different?
I wasn't expecting anything necessarily pro-religion, let alone reverent. This is a Fallout game, after all.
Photo via DesertUSA.com; screenshot by the author.
I was nevertheless surprised and impressed by what I found inside The Old Mormon Fort: a struggling but hopeful sanctuary for the lost and ill-fated souls of the Mojave wasteland. I found a people whose purpose very much in harmony with the aspirations of Mormonism and Christianity generally. (For those who may have heard otherwise, we Mormons worship Jesus Christ and consider ourselves Christians.) While Mormons weren't the ones running the show-it was the Followers of the Apocalypse who had set up shop there-their noble goals and purpose, connected as they were (at least nominally) to the Mormons, gave me a strong feeling of appreciation. They intrigued me.
I wanted to find out if there were more Mormon references in the Fallout universe, and were they as curiously sympathetic and respectful as this? Thanks to the exceptional collection of Fallout resources at falloutwiki.com—including numerous leaked documents from the pre-Obsidian studio Black Isle's cancelled alternate Fallout 3 project in which the Mormons of Vault 70 were going to figure rather prominently—I have been able to analyze Obsidian's Fallout Mormons from the perspective of a lifelong member, and am pleased to share what I found.
Some minor Fallout: New Vegas spoilers will follow
Joshua Graham: The Prodigal Son
Clearly the most significant Mormon character in the Fallout universe is Joshua Graham, also known as Malpais Legate and The Burned Man.
For those who don't know the lore, Joshua Graham was a Mormon missionary sent from New Canaan (post-apocalyptic Ogden, Utah) to preach to the tribes of Arizona. Like most real-life Mormon missionaries, Graham had to learn a new language in order to preach to the Arizona tribals and, like most real-life Mormon missionaries, was able to do so. I myself served a Spanish-speaking mission to the Mojave wastelands of San Bernardino county, California. And Utah boasts one of the highest concentrations of US-born polyglots-speakers of more than one language-in the country due to the Church's foreign missionary efforts, with 30% of Utah's male population and up to 75% of the students of the Church's Brigham Young University speaking a foreign tongue.
In the game, it appears that Graham's linguistic abilities may have been pivotal in the formation of Caesar's Legion. Graham had been sent from New Canaan to preach to the tribes of Arizona and had managed to master a number of the tribal dialects. Meanwhile, The Followers of the Apocalypse dispatched a research party from California to study the tribal languages that were emerging in the east. They met Graham along their way and enlisted his help as a translator.
Shortly thereafter, Graham and the Followers were captured by the Blackfoot tribe, one of the weakest of eight warring tribes in the region. Fearing they would be killed along with their captors, a Follower named Edward Sallow determined that to survive they needed to remake the tribals into a capable fighting force. With his knowledge of ancient Rome, Sallow enlisted Graham's linguistic talents to help him train the Blackfoot tribe in the ways of total war.
Sallow and Graham went on to lead the tribe in conquest after conquest, with both men ultimately forgetting or abandoning their humble and humanitarian beginnings and getting caught up in the violent rise to power of their new nation.
I take no offense at the story of Graham becoming Caesar's first Legate and actually thought it was exciting to have a Mormon figure so prominently in the history of one of Fallout's principal factions. One big reason for this was because his fall was precipitated by very human failings (fear of death, lust for power, pride, etc.), not a failing specific to his religion. Consequently, Graham becoming a ruthless villain doesn't feel like an attack on Mormonism any more than Caesar forming the Legion feels like an attack on the Followers of the Apocalypse (which it doesn't).
But it is Graham's life after the Legion that sheds light on another reason why I appreciate Obsidian's handling of Mormonism so much.
Obsidian avoids the lazy cliché of religious people being hypocritically unforgiving and intolerant.
After failing at the first battle of Hoover Dam, Caesar has Graham covered in pitch, set on fire, and thrown into the Grand Canyon. Graham, already renowned for his resilience as much as for his cruelty, survives. Stripped of power, title, and purpose, he returns to New Canaan filled with remorse for what he had become and for the shame he brought to his people.
Here again, Obsidian avoids the lazy cliché of religious people being hypocritically unforgiving and intolerant and has the Mormons of New Canaan forgiving the penitent Graham, embracing him as a returning prodigal.
I'm not sure if Obsidian was touching on the general theme of sin, repentance, and redemption common in most all of Christianity or if they looked more specifically at Mormon history, but this type of story played out repeatedly in the early history of the Mormon church. There were multiple times that high-ranking Church members betrayed Church leaders by swearing false affidavits (i.e. Mormons planned to overthrow the government) which resulted in repeated imprisonments and even near execution, only to later have the traitors return seeking forgiveness and finding it extended by a magnanimous prophet and people (see W. W. Phelps, Thomas B. Marsh, Oliver Cowdery).
Regardless of what inspired the plotline, once again I appreciated that the core Christian tenet of repentance, forgiveness, and redemption figured so prominently in the story of saint-turned-sinner-turned-saint, Joshua Graham.
As a fun side-note regarding the fictional Graham and a famous real-life Mormon, Fallout: New Vegas project lead J. E. Sawyer said in an online Q&A that one interesting aspect of Mormon history is that John Browning, inventor of the M1911 pistol, BAR (Browning Automatic Rifle), and M2 .50 Cal Machine Gun, was a Mormon from Ogden, Utah. Joshua Graham, perhaps in a show of hometown pride and religious camaraderie, seems to be quite a fan of Browning's M1911 .45 Caliber pistols.
"Elder" Bert Gunnarsson & Driver Nephi
Until I started writing this I had overlooked that Bert Gunnarsson was a Mormon (probably due to most of the Mormon-related dialogue not making the final cut of the game), but I certainly had my suspicions about Driver Nephi.
While the name Nephi will not likely carry any significance to anyone outside Utah or the Mormon Church, to those in the Church Nephi is the first author of The Book of Mormon. For Fallout players, however, Nephi is one of the three fiend leaders that NCR Major Dhatri asks The Courier to kill in the Three-Card Bounty quest.
Bert Gunnarsson, on the other hand, is a ghoul medic and Mormon working with the Followers of the Apocalypse. He can be found helping NCR Captain Parker care for the poor and needy of New Vegas at the Aerotech Office Park.
If you speak to Gunnarsson he reveals that he is ministering to the poor and needy of New Vegas and that he has some medical training from the Followers. However, the GECK (mod tool) reveals a number of lines of unused dialogue that more fully flesh out his character. In one of Bert's lines he explains that in the Church people call him "Elder Gunnarsson," the title borne by full-time missionaries of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, implying that Bert is a Mormon missionary.
Also cut from the final game was an option that allowed The Courier to ask Bert what brought him out of Utah, to which he replies, "Following a lost cause, I'm afraid. My old friend Nephi fell in with a bad crowd. Drug runners, raiders, probably worse things it's better not to dwell on. When his gang headed west, I followed. I thought perhaps I could turn him back to the Church." This obviously implies that the golf-club wielding fiend Driver Nephi is also a Mormon, albeit a seriously lapsed one.
Again, I find much to appreciate in these two characters and their stories. First of all, Bert Gunnarsson is a Swedish name. Scandanavia was the second most successful foreign mission in the early days of the Mormon church with 23,000 Scandanavian converts emigrating to Utah between 1852 and 1905. Consequently, Elder Gunnarsson may be a seventh- or eighth-generation Mormon, his ancestors perhaps dating back to those early Swedish converts. Did Obsidian know this historical tid-bit? I don't know, but their research into Mormonism so far seems to reflect a much deeper level of effort than is typically evidenced in entertainment media, so maybe they did.
Another way in which I feel Obsidian avoided a tired anti-religious cliché is in making Gunnarsson a ghoul.
In many media depictions, religious people are xenophobic and intolerant of the "other." In the Fallout universe, the group that most fits the persecuted "other" is the ghouls.
As Three Dog reminds us in Fallout 3, "For all you would-be bigots out there, ghouls are people too. See children, ghouls are simply humans who have been exposed to an ungodly amount of radiation and haven't had the good fortune to die...So if you meet one of the wasteland's many ghouls, leave your prejudice at the door, and your pistol in its holster." Three Dog reminds his listeners continuously about the unfair and apparently wide-spread anti-ghoul prejudice that exists among the humans of the wasteland. In this sense it is encouraging to see one of the only explicitly religious characters depicted as both a Mormon and a ghoul. This seems to indicate to me that the Fallout Mormons are not the xenophobic other-hating religious stereotypes featured in some media: Not only do they accept ghouls among their ranks but send them out as official representatives of the faith.
Lastly, it is poignant to me to think of this ghoul missionary following his wayward friend over 400 miles into the desert in the hopes that he might turn him from his self-destructive path.
It is poignant to me to think of this ghoul missionary following his wayward friend over 400 miles into the desert in the hopes that he might turn him from his self-destructive path.
In cut dialogue, Driver Nephi speaks ungenerously of his old friend and tells The Courier to tell Bert that he's never coming back to "his little cult." Bert admits to The Courier in another piece of cut dialogue that he was "never able to reach" Nephi, and that "drugs and hatred" have consumed him. In spite of this, it seems that Bert is determined to wait and hope for a change of heart that may lead his friend away from the fiends and toward redemption. Given that Bert is a ghoul and does not have an NCR bounty on his head, he likely knows he will outlive Nephi and seems willing to give as many of his long ghoul years as he must to offer his friend a lifeline back.
When death inevitably comes to Driver Nephi, likely at the hands of The Courier, if the player speaks to him Bert laments Nephi's passing (oddly, it would seem, given that all of the related dialog was cut) and expresses the hope that Nephi's soul is at peace.
"Elder" Bert Gunnarsson exemplifies the Mormon belief in the power of repentance and forgiveness, and that even someone as lost and sinful as the murderous Driver Nephi can be redeemed.
If you might indulge a film-based redemption analogy to further illustrate the point (*Pulp Fiction spoiler ahead*), it is as though Joshua Graham is Jules Winfield and Driver Nephi is Vincent Vega, with each of the former surviving a near-death experience and turning from their wicked ways to find forgiveness, and each of the latter persisting in their wicked ways and finding death.
Obsidian not only thoughtfully presents the concepts of repentance, forgiveness, and redemption in connection with Mormons but also the self-sacrifice, patience, and hope of the people seeking to extend those gifts to others as Mormon missionaries, like Elder Gunnarsson, work to do the world (or wasteland) over every day.
More Mormons of the Wasteland
There are a few other fair-minded Mormon Easter eggs in the Fallout universe, but they would take too long to explain and are relatively trivial compared to those presented here (but for those that are interested, see Jeremiah Rigdon, the rise and fall of New Jerusalem, Caesar's extermination order and Missouri Executive Order 44, Daniel from Honest Hearts and Ammon from The Book of Mormon).
I as a Mormon feel a deep sense of appreciation for the time and energy Obsidian clearly spent researching Mormonism historically, culturally, and spiritually.
Rather than taking the safe route in the entertainment industry of making Christianity, and especially Mormon Christianity, a punching bag or the butt of a string of jokes, Obsidian has shown that at least in post-apocalyptia, Mormons can get a fair shake.
Skip Cameron plays video games and goes to church in Boise, ID and has to make time to game before the sun and his kids are up. He posts screenshots of his adventures through the wasteland at viewfromravenrock.blogspot.com


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[Photographs]
Georgia is one of the oldest countries in the South Caucasus. The country has preserved its rich and age-old cultural heritage, comprising monuments dating from the pre-Christian epoch through the late Middle Ages to modern times. Due to this, heritage protection had always been a subject of special interest from the government and relevant professional bodies. Since its independence in 1991, Georgia has been deeply involved in the well-publicised and devastating warfare that affected all ex-Communist countries after the break up of the USSR. This campaign cost thousands of Georgian lives, not to mention the resulting political and economic weakness and moral and cultural damage. At present, the country remains devastated by the lasting economic crisis and a transition to the market economy, but is seeking ways for revival: cultural heritage is considered to be one of the major resources for future sustainable development. However, for a number of reasons, this process is slow. The major among these are the extremely scanty financial resources of the country, as well as a lack of necessary skills in cultural-heritage conservation planning and management. In addition, officials and the public are unaware of the acuteness of the problem, or of the potential significance of cultural heritage for the socio-economic development of the country. Consequently, and without exaggeration, it can be stated that the entire cultural heritage of Georgia is endangered at present.
In the global context, it is possible to discern several issues of special concern. The war-damaged heritage of Abkhazia represents one of our most vulnerable cultural properties. The still-unresolved political situation in this region of Georgia greatly hinders any reasonable action in response to the man-made disaster. Continually, cultural heritage in the region falls victim to the ever-present ethnic and political confrontation.
Serious problems have arisen in the field as a result of the changed relations between the State and the Church. The just and positive rehabilitation of the Church and its rights has greatly preceded the formulation of relevant legislation, resulting in inappropriate interventions on certain religious sites, which form a significant part of Georgian cultural heritage. In addition, a lack of co-ordination of the activities of State protection-bodies has further aggravated the situation, even affecting Georgia's World Heritage sites. For example, inadequate alterations were undertaken on the structures within the territory of the 11th-century Svetitskhoveli Cathedral in Mtskheta; as well, an agreement was signed between the State and the Church on the reconstruction of the dome of Bagrati Cathedral (also 11th century) in Kutaisi, which is inscribed on the World Heritage List as an archaeological site.
The case studies that follow have been selected to highlight different risk categories:
Tbilisi Historic District - endangered due to socio-economic changes and development pressure, directly linked with the lack of specific skills in the field.
Ikorta Church of the Archangel - endangered by the 1991 earthquake.
Uplistsikhe rock-cut complex - endangered due to the unsolved problems linked with financial and technological issues.
Case Study 1: Tbilisi Historic District
Tbilisi, one of the oldest Christian cities in the world, is a 'city-chronicler' as it offers a fascinating narrative of its historic life from the 5th century AD to the present. The Tbilisi Historic District is characterised by 19th-century urban fabric, with samples of monumental architecture of various styles and periods (5th-19th centuries) scattered throughout the quarter.
The city, which had always been and continues to remain a multi-national unity, has up to the present preserved its unique cultural identity. It reflects the integration of diverse cultural and spiritual traditions, revealed most prominently in its distinct architecture. The spatial organisation of the city is preconditioned by the peculiarities of its landscape. Especially valuable is the urban vernacular architecture, which is a significant feature of the historic Tbilisi urban fabric.
Due to its significant architectural and urban value, as well as the threat to its survival, Tbilisi Historic District was added to the '100 Most Endangered Sites' list (World Monuments Fund, World Monuments Watch Programme, 1998-1999; 2000-2001, www.worldmonuments.org). Also, the nomination of the Tbilisi Historic District for inscription on the UNESCO World Heritage List in December 1999 testifies to the statewide recognition of its significance.
The extremely endangered and vulnerable state of the site has become a subject for acute discussions at government, professional and public levels. The urban fabric of the site is in very bad physical condition, caused by diverse but related problems, among which the most important are: a decades-old lack of regular maintenance; malfunctioning of the water supply and sewage systems; breaches in the application of existing legislation, caused by changes in ownership, and improper interventions. Apart from the current economic crisis in the country, the causes of these problems are varied and often interrelated.
The site has inherited an earlier and questionable conservation policy and attitude towards the historic city as urban heritage. At present there is no adequate conservation strategy or policy, nor is there a conservation and management plan. Accordingly, the site does not meet the benchmark of an integrated conservation approach consistent with high standards of conservation. One reason is the lack of sufficient managerial, technical and multi-disciplinary planning skills. At the same time, the character of the site - with its predominance of 'anonymous vernacular architecture' - has led to an insufficient understanding and interpretation of the urban fabric. Yet these individual buildings, which appear to lack outstanding artistic value, are essential for creating the unique urban ensembles and environment. One result of the lack of an updated conservation master-plan is that decisions relating to individual non-listed buildings have led to their often-unjustified demolition, thereby giving a 'green light' to inappropriate and unsympathetic interventions. These are often justified by social and economic factors, such as a response to the demands of the local community and to free-market interests. Unfortunately, the economic and social value of urban conservation continues to be misapprehended, and the age-old debate - conservation versus development - is usually found in the foreground during discussions.
However, thanks to the efforts of local agencies, awareness of the problem is quite high at present and, in response, there is enhanced recognition of the problem at local authority and government levels. Unfortunately, this recognition is all too often no more than 'lip service', partially due to the inability of local institutions to find proper solutions and effective tools to implement the rehabilitation process and prevent improper interventions. On the other hand, corruption is flourishing in the country, thereby encouraging and sustaining the situation outlined above.
Case Study 2: Ikorta Church of the Archangel
Ikorta Church of the Archangel is an outstanding sample of 12th-century Georgian architecture. For ages it has been one of the significant cultural and spiritual centres of Georgia. It occupies a special place in the history of Georgian Christian architecture, being one of the earliest examples of the 12th-13th century Georgian domed churches. The building combines peculiarities of the 11th-century decoration system with artistic approaches characteristic of the new stage of development (12th-13th centuries). The artistic significance of the church is increased by the superb ornamentation of its exterior walls and the contemporary murals preserved in the interior. Due to its diversity and high artistic mastery, the Ikorta ornamental decoration is justly considered one of the great achievements of mediaeval Georgian sculpture.
The 1991 earthquake in Georgia greatly damaged the church: the walls were deformed, perforating cracks have emerged, facing masonry has fallen off and is weakened in many places; due to great deformation, fragments of the vault, pendantives and supporting piers have collapsed; vaults of the southern and western cross-arms were severely damaged; the structural stability of the church interior had decreased to a great extent; a large portion of the dome (approximately one-quarter) had collapsed in its western part, damaging roofs and roofing constructions of the western and southern cross-arms. In the following years, preparatory conservation works conducted by the Main Board for the Protection and Utilisation of the Monuments of History and Culture of Georgia and supported by the local authorities were initiated on the site - metal scaffolds were arranged in the western and eastern parts of the church. The situation was aggravated by the repeated subsoil tremors, due to which another large part of the preserved dome collapsed and deep vertical cracks emerged on the extant dome. Collapsed dome fragments damaged metal scaffolds and the roofing of western and southern cross-arms; the pediment of the southern cross-arm was completely destroyed, and interior construction details and architectural fragments were damaged.
Ironically, metal scaffolds, which were to ensure the safety of the general body of the church, turned into a major risk factor in terms of further deterioration of the site. This clearly testifies to the lack of a risk-preparedness strategy and a well thought-out conservation methodology.
Since 1999 active efforts have been undertaken to protect the site. In 1999 with financial support from the Open Society Georgia Foundation (Soros Foundation - US $9,500 grant) protecting wooden-scaffoldings were arranged in the interior, deformed exterior metal-scaffoldings damaging the site were removed, the interior and roofs were cleaned of fallen stones, and a temporary roofing ('umbrella') was arranged in order to safeguard interior mural paintings.
In 1999 the site was listed on the '100 Most Endangered Sites' list (World Monuments Fund, 2000-2001; www.worldmonuments.org).
In 1999 with financial support from the Fund for Preservation of Cultural Heritage of Georgia - a joint programme of the World Bank and Government of Georgia (US $9890 grant) preliminary research, recording and design of the conservation project were undertaken.
In 2000 a grant of US $65,080 was allocated through the Emergency Rehabilitation Programme of the Fund for Protection of Cultural Heritage of Georgia for works to reinforce the main body of the church (up to the dome), based on the prepared conservation project.
In 2001 a US $60,000 grant was allocated by the Samuel H. Kress Foundation through the World Monuments Fund for the fulfilment of the conservation works on the site. Hopefully, this last phase of conservation works will guarantee protection of the site. Ikorta Church represents a unique case in Georgia in terms of a successful response to the danger. It is also illustrative that the fund-raising was totally based on international aid.
Case Study 3: Uplistsikhe Rock-cut Complex
The Uplistsikhe rock-cut complex is located in eastern Georgia, 10 kilometres from the town of Gori, on a high rocky bank of the River Mtkvari. This is a composite archaeological-architectural site. As a rock-cut 'town' it functioned from the 5th century BC till the Late Middle Ages. This is a unique example of the rock-cut ensemble of the Antique period in the whole South Caucasus, having preserved its original identity throughout a demanding historical life. The complex is noteworthy for the co-existence of pagan and Christian cultures, as well as the combination of various styles of rock-cut architecture (Asia Minor, mainly Paphlagonia and Midia-Persia).
The physical state of the site is under substantial threat: cracks resulting from intensive physical, chemical and biological deterioration have disintegrated rock massifs. Disintegration processes are of varied intensity in different areas of the site. Several parts of the most vulnerable areas were completely destroyed by an earthquake in 2000.
Because the physical stabilisation of the site is linked with complicated technical and technological problems, in 2000 the Fund for Preservation of Cultural Heritage of Georgia (a joint programme of the World Bank and Government of Georgia) financed the development of a concept plan to safeguard and consolidate the Uplistsikhe complex. Based on the geo-physical study, a pilot project was prepared, which envisages the use of a method of anchor joints and crack cementation. In order to ensure hydro-insulation of the caves, 'eco-friendly' materials were identified.
Regretfully, allocated funds will only cover works in a small part of the site. It would be helpful if professionals or agencies with experience in treating problems similar to those outlined above were to respond for collaboration on future works. Please contact the ICOMOS Georgian National Committee
ICOMOS Georgia
Dernière mise à jour: 30/06/2003 - Web map - Web design - webmaster@icomos.org


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HOME CURRENT ISSUE News Japan accused of concealing base relocation details
Japan accused of concealing base relocation details
Category: [ News ]
Date: July 23rd, 2014
The relocation of MCAS Futenma to Camp Schwab includes plans to construct facilities in the inland area that are not made known to local residents and the Japanese government insist don't exist.
Heated allegations are flying across Okinawa and new revelations are showing Japan's been less than forthcoming about the extent of the massive base relocation program in Nago City's Henoko District that will become home to the controversial Futenma Marine Corps Air Station.
Documents dating to 2008 and 2010 which provide details on expansion of facilities on Camp Schwab in northeastern Okinawa, including building more than two dozen new facilities west of Highway 329 near the Marine base, are now public. They show that the central government has withheld from local lawmakers and the public the extent of the relocation plan.
Futenma will relocate to Camp Schwab, with its new runways extending into Oura Bay adjacent to the base, and that alone has continued to be a source of irritation for base opponents, who wanted Futenma moved from Okinawa and not to another location on the island. The release of the U.S. government briefing documents show plans to significantly expand Camp Schwab to land across Highway 329, to the west. The documents, which were prepared for briefings to key members of the U.S. Congress, identified "political challenges" and concerns that construction in the inland area would stir "sensitivities" the Japanese government would have to contend with.
The 2008 U.S. government internal briefing paper outlined plans for building troop housing, an athletic facility and support buildings for use by Marines –more than 30 facilities in all– at Camp Schwab in an undeveloped forest area to the west of Highway 329. The forest area is already part of the Marines' Camp Schwab, but the Japanese government has been withholding details of the exact development plans. That portion of the base is now used only for military exercises.
The Japanese government has publicly stated only that the wooded area west of Highway 329 would be the site for extracting soil for use in the land reclamation for the runways and adjacent coastal areas. The documents, which were never intended for public release, had notations by the U.S. authors, that Japanese officials had "hidden from the public" relevant details of the base relocation project. A U.S. government official who refused to be identified acknowledged that the Japanese Defense Ministry was wary about releasing the details to Okinawa. He says U.S. officials remain "baffled" that the Defense Ministry and its subordinate agencies are still denying any plans for expanding Camp Schwab's facilities into any new areas.
An aside to the Henoko issues was a notation in the 2010 briefing paper regarding the planned introduction of the Marines' tilt-rotor MV-22 Osprey to Okinawa. The document confirms Japan was fully aware of the U.S. plans, but did not tell anyone. The first public announcement came from the U.S. Department of Defense in June 2011 that the Ospreys would be arriving in Okinawa, to Futenma Marine Corps Air Station, in mid-2012.
Nago City officials say they're still getting denials from the Defense Ministry's offices on Okinawa that there are any plans for construction of new facilities in new locations on Camp Schwab. Nago officials say the Okinawa Defense Bureau has denied any such plans in response to their queries. Talking only about plans for using the soil for the reclamation part of the base relocation, it told Nago officials it plans to plant trees on the site once the soil has been removed.
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Attending Graduate School
Working Internationally
Planning Your Future · Careers Abroad
Short-Term Abroad · US Careers
With the energy and excitement you gained from study abroad, you might be thinking more about your direction in school and your life goals.
Think about all of your plans for the future. How has your new perspective changed what you might want to do or where you want to do it?
….but don't be hasty. Take a few months to consider your options and to feel settled at home again before you change your major or finalize other significant plans. What seems like a great idea initially might not be your final decision in the long run.
Think long-term. What careers seem to fit well with your skills and interests? Internships and volunteering can give valuable insight into what a career would really be like.
If you are planning to attend graduate school after you finish your undergraduate degree, you will likely need to request additional transcript copies from your school abroad. To do so, visit the school's website and follow their stated procedure for requesting a transcript. You can order the transcript(s) be sent to yourself or to the school directly but if you send it to yourself be careful not to open the envelope containing the transcript as this will make the transcript no longer an official transcript.
Tip: When ordering a transcript internationally, you might want to order an extra or two to keep on hand in case you need them in the future!
The Expert Guide to Graduate School Abroad - Explore International Programs, Find Funding Options and Key Insights
Graduate School Abroad - by StudyAbroad.com
Work Internationally
There are many ways to look at working internationally. Are you hoping to live internationally for the long-term, to work abroad for a while and then return to the US, or looking for ways to internationally engaged from the US?
Planning Your Future
CEA Career Center - Helpful information and resources
Linking Undergraduate International Experiences to Your Future Careers (PPT) - Resources by the University of Minnesota
Careers Abroad
US Foreign Service - An outline of opportunities to work abroad as a member of the US State Department Foreign Service
Resources for Working Overseas - by the US Department of State
When a Career Path Leads Abroad - by the New York Times
Short-Term Abroad
Bison Explorers - The NDSU Alumni Association travel tours are open to alumni, family and friends.
Graduate School and Interships through GlobaLinks (PDF) - An overview of opportunities available after graduation
Peace Corps - Since 1960, 210,000+ Peace Corps Volunteers have served in 139 host countries to work on issues ranging from AIDS education to information technology and environmental preservation.
Cultural Embrace by API - Paid work opportunities around the world for recent graduates
TeachAbroad.com - Search the directory of over 27,000 opportunities abroad updated daily
Dave's ESL Cafe - Internet Meeting Place for ESL and EFL around the world
JET Program - Teach English in Japan through the Japan Exchange and Teaching Program
Ohayo Sensei - Now in its 21st year of twice-monthly publication, the free electronic newsletter O-Hayo Sensei reports available English teaching (and other English language-related) positions at conversation schools, universities, jukus, colleges, public schools and companies all across Japan
Endeavour Executive Awards for mid-career professionals - The Australian Government's internationally competitive, merit-based scholarship program providing opportunities for citizens of the Asia-Pacific, Middle East, Europe and Americas to undertake study, research and professional development in Australia
Scholarships are also available for graduate studies abroad
Careers in International Education - Learn more about careers working with study abroad, by Oregon State University
Tips for an Education Abroad Job Search - Tips from the University of Minnesota
US Civil Service - An outline of opportunities to work in the US as a member of the US State Department Civil Service
Note: This page contains well-known resources for employment, but these links are not an endorsement by the Office of International Student and Study Abroad Services.


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Lorde apologizes for saying terrible things about her famous friends
Jacob Shamsian
Lorde and Taylor Swift hanging out in 2015.
Jason Merritt/Getty Images
Lorde said having famous friends was "like having a friend with an autoimmune disease."
Some fans assumed that she was referring to Taylor Swift, among others.
The internet's reaction was harsh.
Lorde has since apologized for her insensitivity
Lorde, who secretly ran an Instagram account that rated onion rings and then deleted it, has given dozens of interviews on her press tour for her new album, "Melodrama." She's talked a lot about fame, her age, and her music.
In a recent interview with The Guardian, she seemed to compare having famous friends — particularly Taylor Swift — with having friends with autoimmune diseases. It's inspired backlash around the web.
Here's the offending paragraph, from The Guardian:
She searches for the better-expressed phrase or analogy – which isn't always necessary, because she's very good off the cuff. (On the difficulty of maintaining a friendship with someone as famous as Taylor Swift: "It's like having a friend with very specific allergies. There are certain places you can't go together. Certain things you can't do. There are these different sets of considerations within the friendship. It's like having a friend with an autoimmune disease.")
The Twitter reaction has been harsh, but Lorde swiftly apologized. In a response to the kerfuffle, she said she "f---ed up" and that she's sorry.
—Lorde (@lorde) June 20, 2017
Lorde also said that she didn't mention Swift, so it's possible that The Guardian added her in as an example of a famous friend of Lorde's and that the singer didn't specifically refer to Swift.
a tough as guts balloon veteran
A post shared by Lorde (@lordemusic) on Nov 7, 2016 at 11:37pm PST Nov 7, 2016 at 11:37pm PST
Swift and Lorde have been friends for years, and Lorde explained to The Guardian why so many celebrities tend to strike up friendships with other celebrities.
"It's an element of wanting to stick together," Lorde said. "Because it can be so scary to do this. These friendships, they're about having a hand put on your shoulder by someone who knows. They're about hearing, 'I've done it, too.'"
SEE ALSO: Lorde confesses that she secretly ran an Instagram account that rated onion rings
More: Taylor Swift Lorde Music Celebrity


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By Ericka Chickowski / Feb 08, 2016
Forget Data Breach Statistics, 2016 Breaches Will Get Personal
Another year came and went and the breach statistics were once again smashed by a raft of data compromises and thefts across the private and public sectors. According to the Identity Theft Resource Center, the number of compromised records more than doubled from 2014 to 2015. And Ponemon Institute estimates that the cost of those breaches just keeps rising--6 percent over the past year.
Interestingly, though, the undertones and implications of these breaches are morphing. In years past the news has been about the volume of personally identifiable information stolen. Whether it was the number of addresses, birthdates, credit card numbers, social security numbers or bank accounts stolen, the shocks always came in the sheer quantity of accounts impacted. Mega data breaches like those at TJX, Target and Sony exposed tens or hundreds of millions of accounts at a time and revealed massive negligence in the way organizations went about securing these massive information stores.
But something started to change last year. Regulatory pressure around these specific types of data sets has spurred slow but steady improvement, with many compliance efforts at enterprises removing them as low hanging fruit and making wholesale database theft a little bit trickier. In response, attackers are refining not just their methods but also the data they target.
Sure, there were still plenty of numerically significant exposures of PII, but last year saw the impact of data theft start to be measured in more palpable ways. People's health information was exposed, their children's privacy was put at risk and even their darkest bedroom secrets were uncovered. These are things that can't be easily encapsulated in spiffy infographics, but the reach and severity of their affects are far more REAL to victims than credit card losses that'll be paid out by the banks anyway. It's not just accounts impacted, it's the fabric of peoples' lives that are feeling the ripple-effects.
Think about the breach of Ashley Madison, for instance. According to some divorce attorneys, there was a measurable uptick in divorce filings after this cheaters' dating site had its rosters exposed to name and shame customers. While it may be hard to take pity on these people, the lesson should be seen by one and all that the right kind of information can have much deeper consequences than people previously imagined.
This lesson was further driven home with the news last year of the U.S. government's Office of Personnel Management (OPM) breach. This is the office of the government tasked with running background checks and vetting people for security clearances. Not only were a large number of people's files stolen, but what was in those files was remarkably sensitive. They included people's sexual proclivities, their daily habits, people they knew, transactions they made and just about everything in between. As many experts have explained, these files are essentially an extortionist's dream. According to some, the impact of this breach will last for as many as forty years, until most of those impacted retire.
In the face of this kind of breach, the standard breach response just seems so antiquated and inadequate. Offering a mea culpa and some free identity protection does squat for the victims.
The nature of breaches is also running deeper through the supply chain, with more and more worrying implications for the enterprise. We closed out 2015 with one of the most troubling breach notifications of them all. Juniper Networks informed customers of its ScreenOS-powered firewall that a previously unidentified backdoor had been inserted into the source code of this software without authorization. Prevailing theory has been that it was placed there by a nation state or advanced attacker to give them essentially unfettered and untraceable access to just about any business network utilizing these Juniper firewall products.
The moral to all of these stories is that while the age of the mega breach might not be quite over, the worst breaches in the coming year may have nothing to do with credit card numbers. Security teams need to be cognizant of the fact that as important as it has been to lock down access to compliance-defined PII, attackers are looking for more than credit card numbers. In 2016, expect this trend to continue.
86 Percent Increase in Data Breaches in 2016 Led to 1.4 Billion Data Record Compromised
Most Breaches Are Financially Motivated, Verizon Study Finds
Cloud Breaches to Become Faster and Bigger, Research Suggests


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You are here: Home1 / Exhibitions2 / Romania: CANNIS 2022 for the centenary of the Canine Association
Exhibitions, News
Romania: CANNIS 2022 for the centenary of the Canine Association
On the occasion of the CANNIS 2022 exhibition in Romania, Victor Iordache, acting President of the Philatelic Federation of Romania, and Marius Muntean, President of the Timişoara Philatelic Association, have sent us the details of the three-day event which will take place in Timisoara, during the weekend 6-8 May.
The main celebration is the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the first Canine Association in Romania (the Society of Police Dogs). It will include a 320-frame philatelic exhibition and a Dog Show with more than 600 participants.
Details in the memo received from Romania here.
Photo: Victory Square, Timişoara
[photo credit: Creative Commons Piața Victoriei 2013 by Hospodarz, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0]
/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/timisoara.jpg 800 800 Costas Chazapis /wp-content/uploads/2022/03/fepanews_logo-300x138.png Costas Chazapis2022-05-06 10:06:352022-05-06 10:06:35Romania: CANNIS 2022 for the centenary of the Canine Association
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We are all shining stars in this world. Sometimes we don't realize the impact we can make if we just let go and embrace who we are! Being a conduit of love, happiness and peace ~ sharing of ourselves ~ multiplies this gift to infinity and beyond. Last night I read about the passing of Zach and found the video below about him. If you have a few minutes, be inspired by his life and the way he spent his last days. Zach turned to music to remind his family of how much he loved them! Doesn't it make you think about the legacy you leave behind?
I'm a wake up happy type of gal. I like mornings ~ the newness of the day, accompanied by a fresh cup of coffee. I like tranquility, when the house is peaceful, all are safe and dreaming in their beds and just Tiffy Cat and I are stirring. It used to be the girls and I were awake at this time (Chessie & Tiffy) but since Chessie Cat passed a month ago yesterday, pawprints-in-my-heart it's just been the 2 of us. We relax in the morning, look out the windows at the backyard to admire the squirrels and bunnies and just take a moment to breathe before the hubbub of the day begins.
Because in a flash, the boys will be downstairs and the rush of school, work etc will begin.
But in those precious moments, I fill myself up, storing peace and tranquility for the day ahead. I begin the day with gratitude that I am blessed because I am here to see another day. I send up a prayer that my day will be good, that I can do good wherever I'm needed. I take a few moments of fur therapy, petting Tiffy as we both enjoy the morning. It's our time and I think she understands.
Do you take a few moments for yourself during your busy day? I highly recommend it as it centers my soul in the most unusual way.
I'm not a nature type of gal ~ you wouldn't find me voluntarily camping ever, but I love watching nature from my window. I love walking with my elder son to the corner for the school bus pickup every morning. I enjoy the quiet of the morning outside before the world stirs. We walk together arm in arm many days to keep warm ~ but sometimes, just in that mom/son comforting way. We chat about the day ahead, planning sports schedules, tests for the week and what's for dinner that night. Other times, we just enjoy the quiet of the morning.
Our neighborhood boasts deer, wildlife and trees. So in the mornings, there's a peacefulness in the air, it's like that last intake of breath just before busy begins. Since Spring has sprung, we've been noticing the buds on the trees, flowers sprouting and the colors of the sky. The picture above is from his phone last week. I'm a big sky watcher, but it was he who noticed the cloud formation and pointed it out to me. He snapped the shot from his phone and texted it to me (isn't technology grand?) while I marveled by his side how blessed I am to have such an amazing son.
We started this routine when he began high school since he leaves so early in the mornings. I think he likes the company while he waits for the bus and me, I'm just grateful that we get a few moments together that are ours. As I walk back to the house, smiling to myself, I turn my attention to my younger son as he gets ready for school. Time flies by so quickly. These are the precious moments that I won't forget ~ because it's the little things that mean so much.