text:
Arsenal want Moises Caicedo but Brighton are justified in standing their ground
Barcelona's resurgence is a nostalgic treat, but their success is built on shifting sands
Premier League Team of 2022: Newcastle United and Arsenal dominate star-studded side
A whole host of players have shone throughout the last year - but here are the 11 that have made the 3AddedMinutes Premier League Team of 2022
27th Dec 2022, 3:30pm
It has been another eventful year in the Premier League with eye-catching stories taking place across the country.
From Manchester City's remarkable title win to Newcastle United's march away from the relegation zone and their continued improvement during the current season, a whole host of players have shone throughout the last 12 months.
With 2022 now heading into its final stages, 3AddedMinutes takes a look back at the last year and picks a team and manager that have hit outstanding levels consistency throughout the calendar year:
GK: Ederson - Manchester City
One of the world's best goalkeepers, it does feel as if Ederson is occasionally overshadowed by international team-mate Alisson. But he has made excellence the norm, so perhaps there is a degree of taking his outstanding form for granted. One thing is for sure, Pep Guardiola and Manchester City supporters would not swap their regular stopper for anyone!
RB: Kieran Trippier - Newcastle United
What a return to the Premier League for the England full-back. The first eye-catching signing of Newcastle's new era and one that already looks like a massive bargain given the impact Trippier has made on and off the pitch at St James Park. A firm favourite and a standard setter for the upwardly mobile Magpies.
CB: William Saliba - Arsenal
It seems bizarre to think there was some talk about Saliba spending another season out on loan. But Mikel Arteta's decision to hand his a belated involvement at the Emirates has paid off handsomely with the French defender producing some outstanding performances as his side marched into the lead role in this season's Premier League title race.
CB: Fabian Schar - Newcastle United
Schar was on the fringes of the starting side a little over 12 months ago but has had his Newcastle United career reinvigorated under Eddie Howe. Schar is a regular starter and someone that Howe will rely on a lot over the next calendar year or so.
The Swiss international looked to be on his way out of Steve Bruce's Newcastle - but he has established himself as a key cog under Eddie Howe. Increasingly comfortable at bring the ball out of defence and has cut out the errors in his game, Schar has played a major role in what has been a remarkable year on Tyneside.
LB: Joao Cancelo - Manchester City
The Manchester City star can provide a very strong case to state the best left-back in the Premier League isn't even a natural left-back. Cancelo has been outstanding over the last 12 months and provides defensive solidity and attacking flair in abundance for Pep Guardiola.
CM: Martin Odegaard - Arsenal
The Norwegian was named Arsenal captain at the start of the season and has so far done a very good job in leading the club to the top of the table.
Even during some difficult moments last season, Odegaard looked a class act in the middle of the Gunners side and he has taken that form into the current campaign with aplomb. Cool on the ball, an eye for a pass and a scorer of some vital goals, the Norway international will be a big player as Mikel Arteta's side look to claim a first Premier League title in 19 years.
CM: Bruno Guimaraes - Newcastle United
The Brazilian's form for Newcastle has been so good that Real Madrid have reportedly shown an interest in signing the midfielder. Bruno has been superb for Newcastle and fans will be praying he remains a Magpies player for the considerable future.
The Brazil star took a chance joining a relegation threatened Newcastle last January - but the move has paid off handsomely for both parties and the £40m fee already looks a major bargain. He's has become an integral and much-loved figure on Tyneside and it seems staggering he didn't play at greater role for his country at the World Cup Finals.
CM: Kevin de Bruyne - Manchester City
The Man City midfielder has three goals and nine assists for his side this season in the Premier League. He also averages 3.4 key passes a game.
Possibly the best midfielder in the world at some stages over the last 12 months, De Bruyne is capable of producing some awe-inspiring moments and was monumental during Manchester City's romp to the 2021/22 Premier League title. He will hope to add another winner's medal and that elusive Champions League win to his haul over the second half of the season.
AM: James Maddison - Leicester City
Leicester City midfielder James Maddison.
With apologies to Newcastle United's Miguel Almiron, the form of Maddison during what has been an underwhelming year for the Foxes has been extraordinary. The attacking midfielder has netted 18 goals and produced ten assists in 41 appearances in all competitions over the last 12 months and will hope to continue that form when he returns to fitness in the new year.
AM: Bukayo Saka - Arsenal
Bukayo Saka will be aiming to start for England during the FIFA World Cup in Qatar 2022. (Getty Images)
Saka has firmly moved on from his Euro 2020 heartache and now is viewed as a lead player for club and country. As impressive in England's run to the quarter-finals of the World Cup as he has been during a stunning 12 months with Arsenal, the winger has firmly established himself as one of the Premier League's most consistent attacking talents.
ST: Harry Kane - Tottenham Hotspur
Has 14 goals in 23 games for club and country this season.
There were plenty of contenders for the lead role in this side, especially given Erling Haaland's stunning run of form since he joined Manchester City in the summer. But Kane is another player in this side that has made excellence feel incredibly normal with another goal-laden 12 months. A total of 30 goals and 11 assists in 49 club appearances during the calendar year counts as another outstanding outlay from the England captain.
Manager: Eddie Howe - Newcastle United
Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe applauds fans.
Other managers have landed silverware but few have overseen the transformation Eddie Howe has at Newcastle United. On the first day of 2022, the Magpies were sat second from bottom in the Premier League, now they are guaranteed to enter the new year sat in the top three. It's easy to point to the money spent at St James Park, but that overlooks the transformation Howe has drawn out of the likes of Joelinton, Miguel Almiron and Fabian Schar. An England manager of the future, but his complete focus remains on continuing his love affair with the Magpies for the foreseeable future.
Premier LeagueNewcastle United


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News in brief ›
Parliaments are failing women MPs
Former Swedish MP Ulrika Karlsson at the launch of the IPU/PACE report in October. ©IPU/P. Albouy
By Gabriela Cuevas, President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), and Liliane Maury Pasquier, President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE)
On International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, we call on parliaments to build on the momentum of the #MeToo movement to denounce the violence happening in the corridors of legislative power.
Parliaments are the very essence of democratic governance - government for the people by the people. But in the male-dominated world of parliamentary politics, sexual harassment and abuse are rife. Today, with more women MPs exposing the extent of the problem, the entire parliamentary community needs to step up and end gender-based violence now in our workplace and beyond.
As women parliamentarians, we have heard countless stories from female colleagues of violence, abuse and harassment. We are alarmed and shaken by how endemic this behavior is - even in the most developed democracies.
A recently published report by the IPU and PACE confirms that in Europe's parliaments sexual misconduct and harassment are pervasive and committed with apparent impunity.
Some 85 per cent of women MPs interviewed said they have suffered psychological violence (sexist remarks, intimidation and threats, pictures published with a humiliating or sexual connotation, etc.) during their term in office. In addition, 47 per cent said they have received threats of death, rape or beating, while 25 per cent said they have been sexually harassed.
Young women MPs and women active in the fight against gender inequality and violence are often singled out for attack.
Social media is a mixed blessing when it comes to threats of violence and harassment. Many survivors are using social media to speak up, share their experience, offer support and look for ways to prevent it. But the IPU and PACE survey shows that social media is also the main channel for threats, with 58 per cent of women in parliament saying they have been the target of online sexist attacks on social networks. One interviewee described how she was harassed online, "I got an anonymous message saying, 'We're going to kill you. First we're going to beat up your children. Then you will be raped, killed. Your husband and your children, we'll get you all. You can hire bodyguards, but we know where you live. We'll get you all.'"
Who is committing these crimes? According to the IPU and PACE study, the perpetrators of sexual harassment against women MPs, were, in 76 per cent of cases, male parliamentarian colleagues, both from their own political party and from parties opposed to their own. In 34 per cent of cases, the incidents actually occurred on parliamentary premises!
The situation is just as bad or even worse for female parliamentary staff - showing that power relations are also at play. The study shows a terrifying rate of sexual and psychological harassment and bullying targeting female parliamentary staff in Europe. Some 40 per cent of parliamentary staff interviewed said that they were the target of sexual harassment in their work. In 69 per cent of cases, the perpetrators were male MPs.
What will it take to end harassment, sexism and violence against women in parliaments? First the heads of parliamentary institutions worldwide must recognize the problem and its prevalence, say loudly and clearly that it will not be tolerated, and commit to deal with it seriously. Secondly, robust grievance procedures in which victims of sexual misconduct can have confidence must be put in place with a range of effective sanctions against the perpetrators. And lastly, MPs must take part in mandatory prevention programmes to promote gender-sensitive parliaments.
We need to be the "shining example" by confronting this issue head-on, rather than offering empty words deploring the situation but doing little to change mindsets, including among our colleagues.
Parliaments should be places of unity, trust, safety and respect. They represent democracy's ultimate aspiration of inclusive and participatory politics for every citizen. If the fundamental human rights of women are being constantly violated in parliamentary chambers and workplaces then we, MPs worldwide, have failed our constituents – young and old, and ultimately have made a mockery of the basic tenets of democracy.
There can be no place for sexist behaviour, harassment and gender-based violence in parliament. All national parliaments are invited to join our hashtag initiative #NotInMyParliament and take action.
Related news and stories
MPs condemn hate crimes against migrants and refugees
New name for IPU women MPs' group
Use collective power of MPs for gender equality
Women parliamentary leaders urge action on violence against women
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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


An analysis of Fuseware's extensive database of Twitter usage, in conjunction with World Wide Worx's consumer market research, shows that there were 1,1-million Twitter users in South Africa in mid-2011. This is a 20-fold increase in a little more than a year.
While LinkedIn, aimed at professional users, also reached the 1,1-million mark, it came off a far higher base – but still saw 83% growth of South African users from 2010 to 2011. Of these, 112 000 or 10% are business owners.


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What are the oldest universities in Europe?
There's a lot of debate over when exactly some schools such as Oxford put their sign out front indicating they were open for business, but generally it recognized that some form of teaching was occurring at each site by the following dates. Top 10 Oldest Universites Name Year 1-Bologna 1088 2-Paris 1150 3-Oxford 1167 4-Salerno…
Who are terrorist groups like the IRA or ETA and what do they want?
As the global threat of terrorism becomes more outstanding, many people are curious about certain longstanding terrorist organizations which exist within Europe. The main ones include the: Irish Republican Army (IRA)-those of you only familiar with the U2 song "Bloody Sunday" should also note Bloody Friday (July 21,1972 in Belfast), when 9 people died, hundreds…
How many Jews were there before WWII versus today?
Country Before WWII Today Austria 10,000 Belgium 65,000 (by 1939) 42,000 Czechoslovakia Denmark 7,500 6,500 Finland France Hungary Germany 500,000 in 1933 (239,000 by 1939) 60,000 Greece Italy Luxembourg Netherlands Norway Romania Russia…
Where exactly in Berlin did Hitler commit suicide?
Whatever happened to these guys is a common question by curious passengers. Adolph Hitler was born in 1889 in Braunau am Inn, Austria. Father died in 1903. Joined military during WW1, with mediocre finishing rank of corporal, watercolorist denied twice entry into the Vienna Institute of Art. Led a failed Nazi uprising against Bavarian government…
Who were the Biggest Tyrants (Bastards) of Europe?
Name Country Personal Info (birth/death) What they did Hitler Germany A mediocre soldier and a failed artist who rose to Nazi power… Mussolini Italy Franco Spain During his 40 years of ruthless dictatorship, about 35,000 people were killed either without trial or after a quick, meaningless court martial. Stalin…
What are some important Sites for Foreigners?
Australians/New Zealanders-Gallipoli in Turkey/Anzac Day Canadians-Vimy Ridge/Yrpes Monument; D-day beaches in Normandy Americans D-day Beaches of Normandy Official Web Site of American Battle Monuments Commission abmc.gov/no/htm The American Cemetery in Laurent, Normandy covering 172 acres and contains the graves of 9,386 American soldiers. Gravesites are marked with white Carrera marble headstones. See gofrance.about.com or www.normandy.eb.com/…
What were some of the more important Treaties?
The Edict of Milan- In 313, Constantine converted the Roman empire to Christianity Treaty of Versailles-broke up German and Austrian holdings after WW1 Dayton Accord dividing Bosnia/Hercegovina Treaty of Maastricht (1992) established the framework for the European Economic Union. See Chap. 1 for details of the EEC. The Treaty of Utrecht which gave Gibralter to…
Where are the more important War Museums of Europe?
Imperial War Museum in London. See iwm.org.uk In Normandy see the following: The Museum of War and Liberation-exhibits on the Allied Landings and the resultant liberation of the city of Cherbourg. Location: Fort du Roule, Cherbourg The Musee Memoriale de la Bataille de Normandie. Location: 44 Blvd. Fabian Ware, Bayeaux
What are some of the Most Famous Battles with dates and casualties?
The Battle of Hastings and the invasion of England in 1066 by William the Conquerer. One of the best surviving records of this is the famed Bayeux tapestry, a remarkeably well survived 70 m piece of embroidered wool linen on display at the Musee de la Tapisserie de Bayeux on rue de Nesmond in the…
In their heyday, what countries did they own or control?
List Africa, South America, Central America, Asia The Great Imperialists Country Colonial Possessions or Protectorates British Br. South Africa-1910, Egypt-1914; Rhodesia-1889, Kenya-1888, India, Bermuda, Belize, Jamaica, Barbados, Nigeria-1886; Gold Coast-1821; Sierra Leone-1808; British Somalia-1884; Burma (1824-1886) Australia- ; New Zealand- French Morocco-1912, Algeria-1830; Congo-1887, Madagascar-1896, Ivory Coast-1843; Cameroon-1884; Indo-China (1862-1895) Caribean countries?- Portuguese Angola-1905, Mozambique-,…
Who were the most famous European explorers?
Columbus sailed from Palos de la Frontera in 1492 body is inside Cathedral in Seville (supposedly) Marco Polo from Venice Sir Francis Drake Thomas Cook Ferdinand Magellan Vasco de Gama Hernando Cortes Leif Ericson-"the man who almost changed the world" actually discovered the New World 500 years before Columbus in 1001 AD. Sailing in their…
Important Historical Concepts-What was the:
Magna Carta–Signed by King John at Runnymede in 1215, the original Latin text outlined basic civil liberties and rights guaranteed to all free men of Great Britain at that time and became one of the earliest precursors to later charters such as the British Bill of Rights of 1689 and the US Bill of Rights…
What does S.P.Q.R stand for in Rome?
This acronym is found written on virtually everything from sewer covers to building pediments in Rome and signifies the solidarity of the people as a whole. The actual acronym itself stands for "Senatus Populus Que Romanorum" and …..
How do I read Roman Numerals?
I = 1 XI = 11 C = 100 II = 2 XIX = 19 CC = 200 III = 3 XX = 20 CCC = 300 IV = 4 XXX = 30 CD = 400 V = 5 XL = 40 D = 500 VI = 6 L = 50 DC = 600 VII…
Who were the principal Greek and Roman Gods?
While most of these "pagan" gods were inseparable from daily life throughout the ages, much of their popularity diminished after Constantine converted the Roman Empire to Christianity in the 3rd century. Greek Roman Description of Deity Adonis NA Handsome youth loved by Aphrodite; symbol of the death of nature during autumn and its rebirth in…
What were the Seven Wonders of the Middle Ages?
Now we are getting into tricky territory. Considerable amounts of subjective opinion has created dozens of potential wonders of the "middle" ages, add to that the seven wonders of the "modern" ages, and let us not forget the seven "natural" wonders of the world. None of these are official however, and aside from being confusing,…
What were the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World?
This famous list of the seven most spectacular sights on earth was first referenced by Herodotus around 440 BC, then Callimachus of Cyrene(305-240 BC), and then again by Antipater of Sidon and Philon, a Byzantine mathematician and traveler who wrote the widely circulated account entitled, De Septum Orbis Spectaculis (or The Seven Wonders of the…
Where are the best beaches in Europe?
The best beaches in Europe should not be confused with the most famous or popular. Beaches in Europe vary widely and can be composed of anything from sand, pebble, stones, or even rock. Mention rocks in Italy/Stones in Riviera/sand otherwise/: Riviera: Antibes, Villefrance or Beaulieu, Menton, Larvotto Beach in Monaco, Biarritz, Spain:San Sebastian's La Concha;…
Where are some of the best Gardens of Europe located?
Tivoli in Copenhagen, Denmark-this landmark dating back to 1843 boasts over 20 acres and 160,000 flowers located in the center of town and skillfully mixes together its landscaping with an amusement park complete with a Ferris wheel. See www.tivoligardens.com The Keukenhof is in between the towns of Hillegom and Lisse in the Netherlands. This 32…
What is the ugliest city in Europe?
Possible contenders: Tirana in Albania, Pristina in Kosovo, Zagreb in Croatia, Bucarest in Romania, Athens, Greece; Frankfurt, Germany; Manchester(Birmingham,Coventry), Rotterdam, Brindisi, Italy


The NCAA Women's Volleyball Rules Committee recommended that the challenge review system become a permanent rule in the sport for schools and conferences who choose to implement it, starting in the 2016 season.
Abby Cheng was a California girl who chased her ambitions all the way to Arkansas. The lessons she learned from taking that leap during her junior and senior years of college have shaped the rest of her career and life, even coloring the advice she now imparts to her daughters.


Upgraded to the latest, now all of my scenes seem sluggish. Sometimes they won't fire at all, and yet other times they fire off right away.
Upgraded from the pulled release with no issues so far (not that I had any with that one, either).
Upgraded my last controller (Plus), everything were more or less fine.
Then I checked it another day and it was 98%. I decided to contact CC for that, but I couldn't turn it on.
So I decided to do a reboot. Saved backup, rebooted and... how predictable, no signal from controller after reboot.
Unplugged it, plugged again, no contact.
As the unit is left at remote location I can't check the status of lights and do anything more until I'll get to that location.
So I've turned controller off, and restored backup on another unit (Edge) which was left "just in case" at that place.
That unit was upgraded to 7.0.26.1 couple of days ago.
Everything works fine but major surprise came when I've checked how much system memory is used - only 72% (!!).
I don't understand. Edge have less power than Plus in any aspect (CPU, memory, etc.) and it still have 28% of system memory free with the same configuration where Plus had only 2% free? How?
The only difference is that Datamine Plugin don't work on Edge right now (I left the controller without any USB stick attached, so there is no logging possible).
Is it really because of Datamine activity?
If yes, then is there a better solution to track system dana (with history) out there?
I know there is Datayours, but I've never got through configuration of that plugin. It tells me about configuring servers and other thigs like that with which I'm totally not familiar. And not sure if it is better?
Well, I decided to take the plunge due to issues with a couple Zwave devices going offline randomly. I've been using the very old 1.7.2935 firmware on my Plus because of the issues I've read about with so many other firmware versions. This update to 1.7.3831 seemed to go smooth, with just 1 sensor not wanting to configure. That sensor has been a problem for me, so I'm about to replace it anyway.
Upon further inspection, I found that none of my 4 WeMo plugs would work, nor would they correctly show their status on the Dashboard. I have 2 of them installed using the actual WeMo plugin and 2 installed using cybrmage's unsupported UDP/WiFi plugin. After mashing the buttons down on the Dashboard for 10 minutes, I finally got 1 to respond on the UDP/WiFi plugin. Then, I got 1 of the other WeMo plugs working that uses the regular plugin.
Looking a little deeper, I realized the notification bar was inactive, so I activated that. I then found 4 device files are failing to load their implementation files. I pulled a device list to see what they are and they are not the WeMo devices. I can't seem to figure out what they actually are, though. One of the mystery devices uses D_FUP_uuid Socket-1_0-221626K01044D0.xml as the implementation file. Any ideas what this may be?
I'm not contacting support yet, hoping the Plus will auto-magically heal overnight tonight. If no improvements by morning, I may contact support to see what my options are.
One of the mystery devices uses D_FUP_uuid Socket-1_0-221626K01044D0.xml as the implementation file. Any ideas what this may be?
"Socket-1_0-221626K01044D0" is the UPNP Unique ID of a wemo plug... The D_FUP... xml file name is part of the (highly flawed and no longer functional) mios UPNP "remote control" system.
I appreciate the info. I have attempted to turn off the UPNP device detection, but must be missing something to it. I thought there would be a simple setting to do this, but seems I'm wrong.
1. I went ahead and removed the UPNP plugin along with the device it creates. Multiple reboots.
2. I've disabled "Auto detect devices on my home network".
3. I've unchecked the Enable UPNP discovery within the Security Settings.
I'm still getting those error messages. I am finding the WeMo devices are all functioning correctly, though. Any other steps I should be taking? Thank you.
I updated to 1030, this time, asking Customer Care to do it since I do not have enough memory. Created a ticket last night, after doing a full back. Woke up to a non-working system. Reboot, did a restore, and all is working fine.
I am out of space after the upgrade as well. I don't think my DataMine 2 is the issue since I am using a USB stick for the logs. Any other ideas to clear up space to resolve my "cannot write" errors?
Also I think I found an issue as well. When I go into the advanced editor of my scene's, the SetLoadTargetLevel option displays a blank field. And of course I cannot edit and save the scene due to the out of space issue.
Oh yeah. And my On/Off switches are showing as a Plug module instead of a light bulb like they did in the previous version.
Upgraded mye Vera Edge without any problems. Everything seems to work as it should.
I have three Veraplus in two locations. I updated the home Vera (when I was present), seemed fine.
Set in on vacation mode for some on/off lights. Now I'm away at cottage, it has gone beserk. It is interpreting every movement in the cottage (detected by Ecobee sensors and plugin) as an alarm, and notifying my via email, etc. None of the sensors were uses for an alarm signal, none were part of any scenes, and notifications were off.
The two Veras at the cottage were not updated, and are not showing alarms. I deleted the Ecobee plugin entirely (along with the 50 odd devices it created.) I was not really using the Ecobees with Vera, and with all the memory issues, etc. being discussed under the Leaving Vera thread, I thought getting rid would clean up some memory issues. I assumed the overnight refreshes would flush out any remaining tidbits of code.
Now, overnight, I am STILL getting occupancy notifications, even though there is no sensor!
Took the upgrade on a veralite. It failed to fully restart, but following instruction posted erased a flash partition and it came up with the new firmware.
That said missing all Everspring door sensors where after 5+ hours of fooling around I'm unable to get them back all of the time. Restoring from a backup recovered the sensors and clearly they are communicating with the Veralite, but after a reboot they are gone again.
Also I have a two-button Leviton controller, configured per this forum so it can be used as more than a scene controller, is dead to the world. Attempts to exclude or delete result in the a "cannot configure device" error. I accidentally reset the Leviton and but the Veralite appears to still know about the device even after a delete the buttons show under a generic name.
Reading countless posts it is suggested to have customer service log into the controller. I really don't want to have the company logging into a device on my network, especially if I don't understand what they are doing. Is this the only option short of trashing the Veralite?
Edit: Following the advice posted by some random person in another thread...I completely rebuilt the Veralite. Basically I have most of the devices back after running around the house. That said scenes and plugins will take a considerable amount of time to reconstruct.
I did notice some changes to device subcategories for some switches. I had to tweak them and now do not appear in the all on/off on the main UI page. Perhaps some of those sensors need new subcategories.
My sub-categories are not sticking. I left my category as 3 and changed my sub-cat from 1 to 3, since these are in-wall switches. Rebooted, twice, and even pulled the power. When I reconnect my browser it is still showing appliance modules. Minor cosmetic issue at this point. Any other suggestions?
EDIT: Actually the sub-category stuck, but the icon is not changing. Within Advanced, I see Cat 3 and Sub-Cat 3 as well. IIRC, Vera said this was a known issue and would be fixed in the next release.
On a side note, I cleared up some room in my storage and after a few days, my scenes are saving again and my advanced editor is showing the whole field, with it's value. Seems to me that the lack of storage was causing the scene issues.


text:
Call for oil spill contingency mechanism along crude oil pipeline
Guardian On Sunday
A WORLD Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) official has reiterated the critical need for establishing and strictly enforcing an oil spill contingency mechanism to protect marine and surface biodiversity resources along the 1,440-kilometre East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP).
Speaking at an EACOP Multi-Stakeholder Conference in Dar es Salaam organized by Oxfam Tanzania in collaboration with other partners mid this week, WWF Uganda Country Office Extractives Manager Ivan Amaniga Ruhanga said it was obvious that a significant number biodiversity areas and ecosystems would be affected by the project.
Amaniga said a study conducted by the WWF had confirmed that nearly 2000 square kilometres of protected wildlife habitat (Biharamulo Game Reserve and Wembere Steppe Key Biodiversity Area) will be affected by significant habitat disturbances, fragmentation and increased risk of wildlife poaching due to the EACOP project.
He further said that the study had found that approximately 500 square kilometers of important wildlife corridors for the Eastern Chimpanzee and the African Elephant species were likely to be severely degraded.
"This will add to already existing severe pressure on these species from the illegal wildlife trade and poaching for bush meat and ivory, respectively," Amaniga said.
The WWF official said the risk of freshwater pollution and degradation was estimated as high, especially in the over 400km of the Lake Victoria basin.
He said the lake basin currently supports the direct livelihoods of more than 30 million people in the region.
As for marine resources, he said two important Ecologically or Biologically Significant Marine Areas (EBSAs) - Pemba-Shimoni-Kisite in the north and the Tanga Coelacanth in the south were at high risk in case of an oil spill.
"This is especially so given the huge amount of crude oil (more than 170,000 tonnes per loading) to be transferred offshore at the Tanga port," Amaniga pointed out.
"If so much biodiversity and ecosystems are threatened, this is not a small matter and it is something we have to worry about," he pointed out.
The WWF Uganda official made several recommendations to mitigate the situation, including creation of alternative wildlife corridors to minimize habitat fragmentation and manage the visual impacts of the pipeline for co-existence with the flourishing nature tourism sector.
Other recommendations were putting emphasis on the establishment and strict enforcement of an oil spill contingency mechanism.
The meeting, that was held under the theme, 'EACOP: Securing the rights and livelihoods of people and the integrity of nature,' focused on facilitating dialogue with EACOP project proponents and learning from oil pipeline experts.
The meeting also focused on sharing lessons with colleagues from Kenya on their work on the Lokichar-Lamu oil pipeline and issues relating to land acquisition, environmental rights, communities' social and cultural rights.
Delivering a keynote address, head of the interfaith religious leaders organization, Bishop Stephen Munga, called for ensuring that communities living immediately around the pipeline got full benefits of the project because they were affected more by the project.
Bishop Munga cautioned that if those living nearest to the pipeline were not assured of the benefits of the project, those living in the periphery would never get the benefits.
He told participants drawn from Uganda, Kenya, Canada, the USA and Tanzania that when people talked about the crude oil pipeline project they were talking about the development of the people.
"People should be in the centre of the talk about the pipeline. We must ensure that the pipeline project does not become a curse like other big projects that have been implemented elsewhere." the bishop said.
He emphasized the need for dialogue between the government, communities and the private sector to cultivate a sense of shared responsibility among stakeholders.
He said human beings were incomplete and no single person could do it alone.
"We need others to complement our incompleteness," he said, stressing the need for dialogue and shared responsibilities.
Speaking at the meeting, Oxfam Country Director Francis Odokorah said the meeting was the second after the August, 2017 meeting in Entebbe, Uganda, emphasizing that it was aimed at reflecting on the progress made towards the development of the pipeline and share work that different organizations are doing and are planning to do on the EACOP since the last convention in 2017.
Norwegian Church Aid undertakes water projects in two regions
Jubilee Insurance, Tan Management launch travel insurance voucher
Dr Doroth Gwajima
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Mbeya Regional Police Commander SACP Ulrich Matei
Mbeya police holds 3 allegedly over illegal importation fabric product
Constantine Kanyasu
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Regional Commissioner Dr Binilith Mahenge
Bureaucracy deters investments in Dodoma Region
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Why Mkuruti is in the verge of disappearing in Rufiji- PART 1


Medical Services began operation in 1985 as a seperate billing corporation and an affiliation with North American Credit Services, Inc. What started as a self-pay, insurance billing and follow-up company has expanded into full medical receivables management, servicing numerous specialities in several states.
During the 1990s, as healthcare came under fire to centralize and cut costs, Medical Services expanded to include full billing services.
Today, Medical Services and Medical Services Billing Technologies offer many levels of accounts receivable billing, professional coding for emergency and other specialized services and collection support for hospitals and physician groups. We encourage you to browse through the links under our services menu to see the array of services we offer.


In a slew of recent posts on their Analytics blog, Google has announced the removal of the 5 report limit in Data Studio in the US, integration with Search Console, and most recently, enhanced support for AdWords MCC accounts.
So what is Data Studio, why has Google focused so much attention on improving it, and what benefits does it provide for marketers?
Data Studio was launched in beta as part of Google's Analytics 360 suite in May 2016. The aim of the platform was (and remains) clear: to provide Analytics users with an intuitive, shareable dashboard solution that allows them to make sense of their data.
Its functionality reflects this purpose. Users can drag and drop a range of graphs and charts onto a blank canvas, then populate them using the dimensions, metrics and goals from their GA account. As such, anyone familiar with Google Analytics should be able to create polished, professional dashboards to help inform their business decisions.
Data Studio delivers on that promise, but the restrictive 5 dashboard limit and a lack of platform integrations curbed its widespread uptake last year beyond the expensive 360 Suite.
However, these recent announcements go some way to creating a solution with universal appeal.
Marketers who have adopted the full suite of Google products will find a wide variety of new opportunities for data analysis and reporting here. The addition of Search Console support brings SEO into the fold too, adding the capability to show keyword-level performance through impression, clicks and CTR data.
Currency fields are removed if they differ across sub-accounts, removing some of the difficulties seen when Google aggregates multiple currencies into one report.
But what about non-Google products? Do they integrate with Data Studio?
Yes, albeit in a slightly roundabout fashion.
Eagle-eyed readers may have noticed Google Sheets among the list of available connectors. So if data from Facebook, for example, is scheduled to export automatically to Sheets, this information will then be included within your Data Studio dashboard quite seamlessly.
Although not as direct an integration as other enterprise-level reporting suites can provide, this is still a hugely beneficial capability. Moreover, the customizable, intuitive nature of Data Studio should make up for this inefficiency among a large user base.
Does this mean the democratization of data analysis?
At a basic level, it might do – and this is a platform designed to engage novices, after all. But if the improvements keep coming at the recent pace, we could be looking at a very powerful contender for more advanced data analysts too.
These highly customizable reports also allow users to circumvent many of the inefficiencies that arise from searching in GA to collect data, synthesize it and then produce compelling visualizations.
This is clearly good news for marketers and business owners alike, removing some of the barriers to entry for useful, everyday data analysis.
Clark Boyd is VP Strategy at Croud, a global digital performance agency.
When it comes to maintaining a brand, any good marketer will tell you that reputation management is key. But it's not just about monitoring what others say about your business; it's also making sure you know how to prevent reputation crisis by building a stronger brand.


In order to make your smile look as lovely as it can be, it will be very important that you do everything possible to fix your dental issues. When you have teeth that are infected, chipped, broken or altogether missing, you will want to replace these teeth with brand new mini dental implants. The mini dental implant is a form of restorative dentistry that allows you to enjoy the perfect smile, which is also better for your oral health as a whole. With this in mind, read on and use tips below to guide you.
When you are interested in getting dental implants, it is important to research them and see what kinds are available. For instance, a few different types of implants include traditional porcelain dental implants, mini dental implants and sub periosteal implants. Mini dental implants are those that are crafted with the smallest diameter, so that they can be installed on top of another dental implant and beneath a set of dentures. You'll be able to save some money by installing these implants, and will enjoy a uniform appearance with your smile.
If you need to get great dental implant installation, you also need to be sure that it matches up with your price range. The benefit of installing mini dental implants is that you'll tend to pay on the lower end of the spectrum. The installation of these implants can cost you somewhere between $2,000 and $5,000. Make sure that you get a thorough evaluation of your teeth to know how many need to be replaced with implants. Doing so will allow you to get the dental implant installation that will serve you, while remaining affordable.
When you need to get the most out of your mini dental implant installation, it is important that you provide some after care that will help you get adjusted. Make sure that you are dealing with swelling by doing cold compresses and using anti-inflammatories. You might also need to ask your dentist for some gauze in order to stop any bleeding that occurs -- which is normal for these procedures.
If you use the three tips in this article, you will be able to get the most out of your dentistry through mini dental implants.Contact a dentist, like Kappenman Family Dental, for more help.


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Posts Tagged 'Award Winner'
Best 'New to Us' Books in 2014: Keith H's Picks
They say too many books will spoil the broth, but they fill my life with so much, so much love. I read primarily science fiction and fantasy, with a dose of comics and science fiction/fantasy for kids and teens. I'm pretty well rounded. These are my favorite science fiction and fantasy books that were new to me this year.
M istborn: the Final Empire by Brandon Sanderson
Vin is a street urchin who gets wrapped up with a gang attempting to overthrow the imperial Lord Ruler. She lives in a world divided into commoners and allomancers, who are sorcerers able to ingest certain metals to give them a specific power." Coinshots" can use steel to propel metal through space. "Tineyes" use tin to enhance their senses. "Thugs" use pewter to enhance their strength. Most allomancers can only use a single metal but the most feared are Mistborn, who can use the powers of all metals. Sanderson's writing became increasingly well-known after he was selected to finish Robert Jordan's "Wheel of Time" series. I prefer Sanderson's own works, which are still epic fantasy with thorough world-building, but considerably less sprawling. (Trilogies instead of 10+ book epics) Mistborn: The Final Empire is the first book of the Mistborn trilogy.
The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms by N.K. Jemisin
After Yeine Darr's mother dies, she is called to the imperial city by her grandfather, the emperor. Her upbringing as a barbarian leaves her outcast in imperial society. She soon finds that she has been chosen to compete for the throne against two cousins who are immeasurably more well-versed in magic and backstabbing than her. To top it off, gods made incarnate are also meddling with the competition. I read this initially because it was compared to Octavia Butler, but Jemison creates her own unique universe in this innovative work. The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms is the first book in "The Inheritance" trilogy.
Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness
Todd lives on a planet recently settled by humans. Unfortunately, a native virus has killed all of the women and given men the curse of "Noise", constantly hearing each other's thoughts. Todd learns a secret which causes him to flee their settlement with his dog, Manchee. Todd can also hear his dog's thoughts. Manchee's dog voice has replaced the voice of Dug, the dog from "Up", in my imagination of what dogs sound like while speaking English . This story is told in a dialect that takes some initial getting used to, but becomes second nature quickly. This brutal, face paced story was published as a teen book but due to some disturbing themes, I wouldn't give it to anyone under 15.
The Golem and the Jinni by Helene Wecker
A historical fiction, immigration story with a fantastic twist: the immigrants are magical beings. Chava is a Golem, a lifelike woman made of clay by an outcast rabbi who practices Kabbalistic magic. Ahmad is a Jinni, a fire spirit born in the deserts of Syria, recently released from being trapped inside a copper flask. They meet while trying to find their places in the chaos of late 1800s New York City. The details of Jewish and Arab mythology and culture are well-researched and intriguing. Watching Chava and Ahamad become friends and soul mates was a pleasure straight to the end.
Among Others by Jo Walton
A seemingly unreliable narrator describes her life as the daughter of an evil fairy. After fleeing to her father's home, Morwenna is promptly sent away to a boarding school in the English countryside. As an avid reader, she finds solace by joining a science fiction book club at the local library. Any speculative fiction fan will enjoy the club's discussions of the great authors of SF: LeGuin, Delaney, Heinlein, Asimov, et al. This book is like a love letter to SF combined with an awesome to-read bibliography. Among Others was the winner of the 2012 Nebula and Hugo awards for Best Novel. Read another review.
Tags:Award Winner, Best of 2014, Bildungsromans, Books About Books, Epic, Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Immigrants, Keith H.'s Picks, Magic, New York City, Science Fiction, Wales
Best 'New to Us' Books in 2014: Radhika R's Picks
Albert Einstein said that "Imagination is more important than intelligence!" Books fire that imagination for me! Books make me think, laugh, empathize and take me through a gamut of emotions. I travel around the world from the the comfort of my couch! Here are a few of them which I enjoyed reading.
Mado nnas of Leningrad by Debra Dean
A story of love, suffering and helplessness. Marina is rendered helpless when she is affected by Alzheimer's. While she has difficulty remembering her children or grandchildren, she remembers clearly the 40 day siege of Leningrad, and how she overcame it. As a museum docent, she helped to hide countless priceless works of art from the invading Nazis, all the time creating a "memory palace" in her mind in which to cherish their beauty. These memories and those of the works of art she saved are juxtaposed with the present, where she regularly forgets her own granddaughter. A very sad, poignant story of an Alzheimer's patient and how the caretakers the family members stand by helplessly while their loved one's mind is slowly shutting down on the immediate present. A very touching read. Read another review.
This book explores the grey areas in life. Not every situation can be put into boxes of right or wrong. It makes us think and ponder and feel gut wrenching emotions for all the characters. It is a true, but fictionalized story of the last beheading in Iceland. In 1829, Agnes Magnusdottir is sentenced to death by beheading for the brutal murder of two men. Because there are no local prisons, Agnes is sent to the remotest village to await her execution while living with a farming family. The family is wary of Agnes and takes time to adjust to her presence. The farmer's wife, slowly thawing towards Agnes, comes to hear her story and is devastated when she realizes there is nothing that anyone can do to save Agnes. The story is told compellingly in different voices and makes you feel the pain and the helplessness of the circumstances.
Defending Jacob by William Landay
Andy Barber, happily married to Laurie and a district attorney in a small New England town, is at a crossroads of his life. He is investigating the murder of a young teen boy, Ben, despite the fact that there might be a conflict of interest – Ben was his son Jacob's friend, and attended the same school. From here starts the real roller coaster journey! When Jacob is accused of the murder, Andy and Laurie's world reels. This book explores questions many will never ask. How much do we know about our children? Where does love end, and practicality begin? How do we even begin to imagine what the truth is, whether our child is capable of taking a life… a parent's worst nightmare come to the fore! What will it take a parent even to accept that it is a possibility? Why is it that when tragedy strikes, all relationships start to unravel? An intriguing piece of fiction where legal implications mesh with family emotions. Read another review.
The Garlic Ballads by Yan Mo
This novel is the Nobel Prize winner in Literature for the year 2012, and it is rightly so. The angst, worry, fear hope and helplessness of poverty is so well portrayed that we can actually envision ourselves in the pages of the book and live with the characters, wondering how they survive in those circumstances! The farmers of Paradise County have been leading hard, miserable lives for centuries when the government asks them to plant garlic. The farmers do so, but find it hard to sell. At the mercy of corrupt government officials, the farmers are forced to pay money they don't have in order to sell their wares, but find that after paying the various taxes and tolls, their crops remain unsold. This is the breaking point for many of the farmers, leading to riots and arrests, followed by inhumane conditions in jail, torture and beatings. An old bard sings the song of tyranny throughout this book, and is killed for it. This book is not just about human suffering and despair, but also filled with tales of family love, loyalty and hope! In the midst of desolation, each character finds a reason to live. This is truly an amazing read, where depths of despair and the upliftment of spirit reside side by side
I am Malala by Malala Yousafzai and Christian Lamb
Most of us have read about Malala and may feel we know her story. This book made me think differently. Malala was born to parents who were strong supporters of women's rights and had a school of their own for girls. Raised with this mindset, Malala was determined to do her part, and her parents supported her decision. All of them knew that Malala's bravery would ultimately mean facing the wrath of the Taliban when it took over their Swat Valley. Her parents, who knew the danger their child faced every day, made the difficult choice to support her, and Malala chose to stay the course despite unimaginable pressure. You know the story – Malala was shot – but thankfully, she survived to become a spokesperson for the rights of girls to an education. This review is a salute to all the young girls and women who have fought against the Taliban atrocities for the right to a just life and education, and paved the way for Malala to bring their cause to the attention of the world. Kudos to Malala, a brave young girl who took such a bold, courageous step to improve lives of other girls and fight for their right to education! It is rightly said that the strength of human spirit always humbles you!
Tags:Alzheimer's Disease, Award Winner, Best of 2014, Biography, Communism, Families, Family Secrets, Farmers, Historical Fiction, Iceland, Literary Fiction, Massachusetts, Murder, Pakistan, Radhika R.'s picks, Russia, Teens, World War II
Best 'New to Us" Books in 2014: Farida B's Picks
I love a variety of books in adult and children's collection. I love reading Historical Fiction, Fantasy, Mystery, Humor, Romance and gentle clean reads. Here are "New to Me" books that inspired me most this year. I hope you can include some of these books in your 2015 reading list.
Death of a Travelling Man by M. C. Beaton
This is Beaton's eighth mystery featuring Scottish police constable Hamish MacBeth. Hamish has been promoted against his will and as Sergeant, he makes more money, but must suffer more work as well, as well as the enthusiasm of his new helper, Police Constable Willie Lamont. Willie Lamont has less talent for police work and more talent for cleaning, polishing, and scrubbing. His insistence on keeping the police station spotless and super clean is driving MacBeth crazy. It all starts when a suspicious drifter Sean and his girlfriend Cheryl park their van behind the minister's manse. This "devastatingly handsome" drifter Sean charms four women out of their money and harasses Hamish's ladylove, Priscilla. If you like to read light mysteries filled with humor and action then this is definitely going to be your choice! See my full review.
Murphy's Law by Rhys Bowen
Murphy's Law is the first book in the Molly Murphy mystery series. Molly Murphy, the main character in this story, is a spunky, 19th-century Irish heroine. Molly always ends up in trouble no matter where she goes. She is outspoken, strong independent lady. She commits a murder in self-defense, so she has to leave her cherished Ireland and her identity for the unknown shores of America. In London she meets Kathleen O'Connor. Kathleen has two small children and tickets for a ship to America, where she plans to join her husband. But she has tuberculosis, so she knows that she will not be allowed on the ship to America, so she persuades the desperate Molly to take her children to America instead of herself and use her identity on the ship. Molly agrees to this plan since she wants to be in a new place and start a new life. After the landing at Ellis Island, O'Malley is found stabbed to death. Police detective Daniel Sullivan questions Molly about it since lots of people had seen Molly slap O'Malley on the ship. Molly becomes the prime suspect along with a young man whom she had befriended. See my full review.
Running out of Time by Margaret P. Haddix
Jessie lives in the frontier village of Clifton, Indiana in 1840. When diphtheria strikes the village and the children of Clifton start dying, Jessie discovers that Clifton is actually a 1996 tourist site under secret observation by heartless scientists. Jessie's mother sends her on a dangerous mission to bring back help. But outside the walls of Clifton, Jessie discovers a world even more alien and scary, and soon she finds her own life in danger. Can she get help before the children of Clifton and Jessie herself run out of time? This is a young adult book which is appealing to adults as well. It is one of my favorite books, written by a good author. It has won multiple awards, including the YALSA Best Book for Young Adults.
Miss Julia Speaks her Mind by Ann Ross
This book is the first in the series. Miss Julia is a strong willed, independent, proper church-going lady. Recently widowed, she is trying to settle down with her new life, including the substantial estate left by her late husband, Wesley Lloyd Springer. Everything is peaceful until Hazel Marie Puckett arrives at her doorstep with her 9 year old son Little Lloyd. Guess what? Little Lloyd is Wesley's son. Miss Julia receives a shock of her life! After 44 years of marriage to pillar of the church and community Wesley Lloyd Springer, she discovers that he was having an affair with Hazel Marie Puckett. She had assumed he was working late at the family bank, but instead he was engaged in more carnal pursuits. The worst thing was that the whole town knew about this affair. Read my full review.
Unwind By Neal Shusterman
In America after the Second Civil War the "Bill of Life" permits the parents to get rid of a child between the ages of thirteen and eighteen, through a process called "unwinding." Unwinding ensures that the child's life doesn't really end by transplanting all the organs from the child's body to different important recipients who quote the highest bid. This is a story about three teens – Connor, Risa and Lev – who become runaway Unwinds. Their escape and survival stories interweave as they struggle to avoid harvest camps. All the characters live and breathe in the story. Neal Shusterman's Unwind has won many awards and honors, including being included on ALA's Top Ten Picks for Reluctant Readers and Best Books for Young Adults lists. It is a book written for young adults, but I really enjoyed it and I am sure lots of adults will like reading it too! It has breathtaking suspense and is a sure page turner to find out if the three teens avoid their untimely ends.
Tags:Award Winner, Best of 2014, Cozy Mystery, Dystopias, Farida B.'s Picks, Historical Fiction, Humor, Immigrants, Indiana, Ireland, Murder, Murder investigation, Mystery, Scotland, Small Town Life, Survival, Teen Fiction, Teens, Thriller
Best 'New to Us' Books in 2014: Amy W's Picks
According to this post, it seems I only read coming of age literary novels and hard-hitting non-fiction. But really look at it this way, I have spent a summer on an Ojibwe Indian reservation and in a small Midwest town both faced with terrible crimes, followed a Civil Rights icon on our nation's path to equality, lived in rural Mississippi a few days before Hurricane Katrina hit and examined the day to day life of soldiers returning home with PTSD and/ or traumatic brain injury. I learned a lot, not just facts, but also about the human spirit.
Round House by Louise Erdrich
This book grabbed me in the first paragraph. The narrative is compelling as Joe, his tribal judge father and his community try to process the violent crime committed against his mother. The investigation is complex since his mother, traumatized, is unable to provide details and the laws governing the reservation and state laws strangle any chance of justice with red tape. Joe and his friends decide to take matters in their own hands. Erdrich balances this story nicely, with humor and excitement but also a serious examination of justice. This book also makes a great book club discussion.
Thank You for Your Service by David Finkel
Journalist David Finkel follows members of the US 2-16 Infantry Battalion as they return home from service in Iraq. The soldiers often hear the sentiment "Thank you for your service" from appreciative Americans. However, that appreciation, no matter how heart-felt, has no real impact on their day to day life at home after returning from war. Many of the soldiers suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder and/or traumatic brain injury. Their families are at a loss when it comes to caring for them, the public cannot seem to grasp the pain of invisible injuries and veteran assistance, when available, can also require great sacrifice ultimately adding to the stress of daily life. A notable book of 2013, Thank You for Your Service is a close look at the tragedy of a war that never ends for members of the armed forces.
Devil in the Grove by Gilbert King
The Pulitzer prize-winning book is Devil in the Grove: Thurgood Marshall, the Groveland Boys, and the Dawn of a New America by Gilbert King and it is much more than an account of the trial of three young African-American men accused of kidnapping and raping a white woman in rural 1948 Florida. It is a detailed glimpse in the complex machinations of the Civil Rights Movement as played out in the courtroom. Marshall's landmark case Brown v. Board of Education (1954 Supreme Court decision disallowing school segregation) was the result of years of planning and small victories that ultimately overturned Plessy v. Ferguson. I just had no real understanding of the complex planning it took to make it to that one important case. Thurgood Marshall (chief counsel of the NAACP Legal Defense Fund) and the NAACP frequently took on lots of cases like the Groveland Boys. Their strategy was never acquittal but to kick the case up to higher courts through appeals with a decision that not only acquits the innocent but also has broader significance to civil rights with each case building on top of one another. If you think this book sounds like a somewhat interesting, but probably overly detailed academic snooze fest you are wrong. Devil in the Grove is a well-written, accessible and at times, a page-turner. See my full review.
Life is idyllic in a small, northern Minnesota town during the summer of 1961 until the town is rocked by a series of murders. 13 year-old Frank Drum gets caught up in the the excitement as he and his friends speculate about who may have committed the sinister acts. Frank's amateur investigations reveals the complexities of life in a simple, small town as those around him struggle with their life decisions. Ordinary Grace is a beautifully written, compelling page turner.
It wasn't that the Batiste family decided to stay in their home while Hurricane Katrina pummeled the Gulf Coast, it was that they had bigger battles consuming their lives. Every chapter moves the storm one day closer with some chapters the storm is not mentioned at all. Having never recovered from the death of their mother, Esch (the narrator), her brothers and her alcoholic father live a hand to mouth existence in rural Mississippi. As the storm approaches, their lives become unraveled. Esch, is fifteen, pregnant and alone with her secret. At a time Esch needs a mother the most, the memories of her mother fade all too quickly. This 2011 National Book Award winner is a tough read. Sometimes I find a book so incredibly heart-breaking, I struggle to turn the page and consider closing the book. Ward, growing up in the rural Gulf Coast did not have a chance to turn the page either or close the book on her life. Instead, she put words to paper creating a beautiful novel, rich in hope. See my full review.
Tags:American History, Amy W.'s Picks, Award Winner, Best of 2014, Civil Rights Era, Hurricane Katrina, Minnesota, Murder, Native Americans, Nonfiction, Small Town Life, Veterans
It wasn't that the Batiste family decided to stay in their home while Hurricane Katrina pummeled the Gulf Coast, it was that they had bigger battles consuming their lives. Every chapter moves the storm one day closer. In some chapters, the storm is not mentioned at all.
Having never recovered from the death of their mother, Esch (the narrator), her brothers and her alcoholic father live a hand to mouth existence in rural Mississippi. As the storm approaches, their lives become unraveled.
Esch, is fifteen, pregnant and alone with her secret. At a time Esch needs a mother the most, the memories of her mother fade all too quickly. She finds examples of motherhood in her brother,Skeetah and his pit bull, China, who has just given birth to a litter of puppies. Skeetah cares for China fiercely and is completely devoted to her well-being. China and Skeetah both care for the newborn pups who will be sold for dog fighting and the money used to support the Batiste family's existence and endeavors to rise above their poverty. Esch narrates the story of her family with lush and poetic language interwoven with the classical mythology tale of Medea. Much like in mythology, all the battles, both real and emotional, are epic.
Jesmyn Ward deals in dualities making this book true to a life that is never simply black or white. The Batiste family (and their friends) live in poverty but have a richness of spirit making them resilient. Hurricane Katrina decimates the Gulf Coast, but reins in the family, forcing them to exist in one place and making them stronger. Skeetah and his pit bull, China, have a relationship built on the deepest filial love and brutally savage violence.
This 2011 National Book Award winner is a tough read. Sometimes I find a book so incredibly heart-breaking, I struggle to turn the page and consider closing the book. Ward, growing up in the rural Gulf Coast did not have a chance to turn the page either or close the book on her life. Instead, she put words to paper creating a beautiful novel, rich in hope. If you enjoy this book, I also recommend her highly acclaimed 2013 memoir, Men We Reaped.
Tags:Amy W.'s Picks, Award Winner, Dogs, Family relations, Hurricane Katrina
Posted in Book Suggestions by WCPL Staff | 1 Comment »
Geek Love by Katherine Dunn
To save their traveling carnival, Al and "Crystal Lil" Binewski experiment with drugs and radioactivity during Lil's pregnancies to chemically breed their children into their own "freaks". They do not see the harm in doing this. Mrs. Binewski compares her children to beautiful hybrid roses. As a result, Olympia Binewski, a bald albino hunchback dwarf, and her equally unique siblings are forced to go through life as carnival attractions, both admired and abhorred by society.
Five children make up the Binewski Fabulon. Arturo (the Aqua Boy) is missing limbs. Through manipulation, Arturo creates a cult following of people who have their own limbs removed so that they too will be special. Elly and Iphy are Siamese twins who are naive and pretty. The baby of the family is Chick, who appears normal, but has telekinetic powers. Geek Love is told from Olympia's viewpoint.
The book's graphic scenes and dark humor may not be for everyone. This National Book Award finalist, while tragic, is also very humorous and the plot is so fantastical that the book is a treat to read. Katherine Dunn's thoughtful and humanistic view of life outside of society's accepted norm will leave readers thinking that there just may be a little freak in all of us. Those who liked Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen, The Museum of Extraordinary Things by Alice Hoffman or fans of author Chuck Palahniuk may like this book.
Tags:Award Winner, Contemporary Fiction, Dark Humor, Lisa L.'s Picks
Moon Over Manifest by Clare Vanderpool
Moon Over Manifest is a children's fiction novel that appeals to all readers who enjoy adventure in a true American historical setting. This first novel written by Clare Vanderpool won the John Newbery Medal for excellence in children's literature in 2011. However, adults, too, can savor the first-person account of young Abilene Tucker literally jumping from a life of riding the rails with her father into intrigue and challenge in Manifest, Kansas in 1936. With eccentric characters like "The Rattler," a menacing spy; Miss Sadie, a mysterious Hungarian diviner; or Pastor Shady Howard, who takes Abilene into his home at her father's request, there is much for the reader to relish as the story unfolds.
There are several storylines in the novel. Besides Abilene's story, there is one of a boy named Jinx who faces bigotry and prejudice in 1917 Manifest. Another is the rise and decline of Manifest itself. Miss Sadie, whose home lies at the end of the "Path to Perdition," over time discloses the story of Jinx and Manifest to Abilene. Abilene's discovery of letters, mementos and newspaper clippings also lead to the recognition of who Jinx becomes.
I enjoyed the book very much for its rhythms and pacing, its historical atmosphere, and its unfolding mysteries. There is hope and humor as Abilene perseveres in her efforts to understand her father. She thinks he has abandoned her, and she yearns to feel connected to family. Abilene makes friends, accepts people in all their diversity, and treasures what she discovers. She, as well as Jinx earlier, begins to belong to Manifest, this tired, but worthy, town.
This novel has been a selection of both youth and adult book clubs. You may well enjoy this story of loss and devotion set in a captivating time and place in America's history.
Find and reserve this book in our catalog
Tags:Award Winner, Great Depression, Historical Fiction, Judy M.'s Picks, Kid's Fiction
Best 'New to Us' Books in 2013: Kate B's Picks
Though I haven't reviewed a lot of books for the blog this year, I certainly have read many! Although I read a broad variety of fiction, I tend to gravitate toward suspense and mystery titles, as well as any book that pays a lot of attention to the narrator's thoughts and "inner life." I also enjoy reading nonfiction, especially memoirs and focused history. My favorite "new to me" books of 2013 definitely reflect these reading preferences, and here they are in no particular order!
One morning, recently-retired Harold Fry is surprised by a letter from a friend he hasn't heard from in more than twenty years. Queenie Hennessey, an old colleague, is in hospice care in Berwick-upon-Tweed – about as far from Harold's town of Kingsbridge as you can get. Touched by Queenie's letter, Harold pens a reply and, donning a light anorak and his leather yachting shoes, sets off for the mailbox. He passes two, then three mailboxes… and as he walks farther and farther from home and his wife Maureen, Harold wonders why he doesn't just go to Berwick-upon-Tweed and deliver his letter to Queenie personally. By the end of the day, Harold has convinced himself that as long as he keeps walking north to his old friend, she will survive her illness. Joyce writes a sparse, allegorical narrative that is told almost entirely within the confines of Harold's mind. I listened to the audiobook on a six-hour road trip. Jim Broadbent's narration is top-notch, and the story itself is perfectly suited to a long drive.
Still Life by Louise Penny
I'm a sucker for a good detective series, and had been meaning to give Louise Penny's Agatha Award-winning Armand Gamache series a try for a couple of years. Three Pines is a sleepy town outside Montreal, unremarkable to all but those who inhabit it. The police force doesn't have much to do… until early one morning, the elderly but spry Jane Neal is found dead on a quiet path where she usually walks her dog. Although it first seems that a hunting accident was the cause of her death, but the more Gamache and his team investigate, the less things add up. The book is atmospheric with a flavor that is both autumnal and decidedly Quebecois, making it an excellent companion to a hot beverage and a warm blanket!
Consider the Fork: How Technology Transforms the Way We Cook and Eat by Bee Wilson
Pots, pans, stoves, and ovens might seem like the most basic of kitchen equipment to us. But after reading this history of kitchen technology, you'll marvel at the ingenuity of the people who figured out that by putting something between food and flame, and by containing the heat, we can improve flavor and get different resulting textures. This book is full of moments where the reader is invited to think about the origins of everyday kitchen objects that have shaped the way we cook, the way our homes are structured, and ultimately, how we live our lives. For foodies, technology junkies, and history buffs alike, this is a must-read that's divided into manageable chunks.
This is a classic in the suspense genre that somehow, I hadn't gotten around to reading until this year. It was well worth the wait! The unnamed heroine has just married Maxim de Winter, a wealthy and kind widower with whom she is deeply in love. Everything seems perfectly ordinary until she moves into Manderley and meets Mrs. Danvers, the rather sinister housekeeper who seems to spend the majority of her time ensuring that everything in the house is exactly as it was on the day Rebecca – Maxim's first wife – died. It's not difficult to see why Alfred Hitchcock chose this book as one of his first film adaptations. The book's slow start and emotional climax are hallmarks of Hitchcock's work and help add to the inherent creepiness of the story!
Mimus by Lillie Thal
As a young adult novel set in a Middle Ages without magic, dwarves, witches or unicorns, Mimus is unique from the start! In a peace negotiation gone wrong, King Philip is kidnapped by a rival kingdom's army, and later so is Philip's son Prince Florin. In a cruel act of humiliation, the enemy ruler assigns Florin to be a fool, studying under the court jester Mimus. If Florin doesn't perform the songs, jokes, and impressions his mentor writes, it will mean torture and punishment for him and his father – but every song mocks his father and every joke has his homeland as the punchline. Can Florin let his guard down long enough to learn who Mimus really is – and how he can save his home kingdom? Packed with philosophical conversations between Florin and Mimus, along with several action sequences, this book will appeal to adult fans of historical fiction as well as teenaged ones.
Tags:Audio Books, Award Winner, Best of 2013, Classics, Contemporary Fiction, England, Historical Fiction, History, Kate B.'s Picks, Mystery, Nonfiction, Suspense, Teen Fiction
Tenth of December by George Saunders
"Having felt that abyss, I basically said, 'O.K., capitalism, I have seen your gaping maw, and I want no trouble with you.' " – George Saunders
My heart leaped when I saw that George Saunders had a new story collection coming out this year. Ever since reading his story, In Persuasion Nation, back in 2005, my love for his work has continued unabated and I urge you, blog reader, to grab a copy of Tenth of December immediately.
For those unfamiliar with Saunders, his work uses satire and the surreal to capture the strangeness and unrelenting brutality of modern American corporate culture where cruelty is wrapped in management speak. His stories are dark and sharply funny, yet carry a deeply moral bent. In Escape from Spiderhead,a human test subject experiences a series of increasingly ruthless Milgramesque experiments to which he must decide to comply or resist. While in The Semplica Girl Diaries, a father struggles with providing for his family. When he wins the lottery he fulfills his daughter's dream of having a set of Semplica Girls, which turn out to be a type of living lawn ornaments that reflect our ever growing globalized economy. The title story is a lovely showstopper combining the crossed paths of a man seeking suicide after his cancer diagnosis and the nerdy boy who sets out to save him.
Though many of Saunders' characters seem to be caught in situations without escape, there is an undercurrent of grace and hope that persists despite the characters' bleak situations.
Tags:Award Winner, Literary Fiction, Sarah K.'s Picks, Short Stories
Ship Breaker by Paolo Bacigalupi
I have long been a fan of dystopian literature written for adults. From Huxley's Brave New World to Margaret Atwood's Oryx and Crake and Octavia Butler's Parable of the Sower, I love to read stories about our world gone wrong. In recent history, it has become more socially acceptable for adults to be caught reading kids/teen fiction. Since Suzanne Collins published the Hunger Games, there have been a slew of imitators churning out teen "coming of age/romance in the apocalypse" drivel. Don't get me wrong. I enjoyed Hunger Games, but there was a little too much angsty adolescent love for my taste. The Gale/Peeta dichotomy was an annoying distraction from the violent social commentary.
Paolo Bacigalupi's Ship Breaker, while featuring a teen protagonist, is at its bones a story of survival while attempting to maintain a moral code in a brutal world. The story is set in the Gulf Coast of Mississippi in a time when the world's supply of oil has run dry. Scavengers have created an industry of stripping derelict oil tankers of any usable commodities when they wash up on shore. The main character, Nailer, spends as much time as he can away from a miserable home life. His amphetamine addicted father regularly beats him and spends their savings on booze and drugs. One day, Nailer finds a beached clipper ship in a nearby cove. It contains opulence like he has never seen which, by finder's rights, is now his to claim. While exploring the ship, he also finds a teenage girl, half-dead trapped under the bed of the stateroom. He is faced with a choice: free her and try to get her to safety or let her die and be the wealthiest member of his community.
Bacigalupi creates a believable, brutal world full of desperate and dangerous characters. This book has just the right combination of sci-fi action and compelling characterization…and no sappy teen romance!
Tags:Award Winner, Dystopias, Keith H.'s Picks, Post-Apocalyptic, Science Fiction, Teen Fiction


Relaxation and Visualization is also known as guided imagery. This program provides a relaxing and peaceful experience that can improve one's sense of well-being, reduce stress and provide skills to help cope with a cancer diagnosis. This program is a good starting place for new members. As well as being introduced to others as a support group and networking opportunity, Patient and caregivers will be guided through relaxation and visualization exercises, and will learn various coping strategies.
Relaxation and Visualization is led by a professional program leader who leads the group in guided mediation followed by a guided imagery session and a group discussion. This program is offered once a week, on a drop-in basis. Please notify the volunteer at the front desk when you arrive for your program session. Please arrive at least 5 minutes early and bring your own pillow.


text:
After Nine is a programme on the former United Kingdom Breakfast Television station TV-am. It ran from 09.00 until 09.25 during term time, finishing the day's broadcasting for TV-am. It concentrated on lifestyle issues such as fashion and health, and originally was presented by Jayne Irving and latterly by Kathy Tayler. It generally finished with a workout by Lizzie Webb, the station's fitness expert.
After Nine ran from 1985 until 18th December 1992, prior to TV-am ending broadcasting at the end of 1992.

TV-am original programming
1985 British television series debuts
1992 British television series endings

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


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Obviously this was during his "Stealth Jihad" training.
I understood that Turkey banned headcoverings for both men and women during the time that Ergun he has claimed to have lived in Turkey. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islamic_dress_in_Europe#Turkey If he lived in Turkey, it would have been against the law to wear Islamic dress in public, or at least that is what I am gathering from the report from the wiki article.


text:
Éclaireurs (titre original : ) est un ouvrage écrit par Robert Baden-Powell sur le fondement du scoutisme.

Contenu
Dans ce livre qui se veut didactique, Baden-Powell s'adresse aux chefs scouts, ou potentiels chefs, afin de leur fournir une aide et un soutien dans leur tâche. À chaque chapitre, appelés bivouac, il explique certains éléments de la méthode scoute : de la loi et la promesse, aux activités de jeu en passant par le système des patrouilles et les techniques de constructions, de secourisme ou d'approche.

Éditions
Baden-Powell a écrit la première version du livre en 1908. Il l'a fait à la suite de son expérience sur Brownsea Island, où a eu lieu le premier camp scout. Par ce livre, il donnait aux chefs scouts quelques recettes pour bien animer sa troupe ou sa patrouille.

La première édition française est parue en 1915 chez Delachaux et Niestlé, à Neuchâtel.

Il existe plusieurs éditions du livre. En effet, à la suite du succès du scoutisme, de sa rapide expansion et de son évolution, il a fallu rajouter des informations, en supprimer et en modifier.

Notes et références

Liens externes

Scoutisme
Essai britannique
Essai paru en 1908