text:
The Anti-Abortion Strategy Closing the Last Clinic in Missouri Is Sneakier Than a Ban
"While the nation's attention is focused on the abortion ban…it's also equally important for people to understand that a state doesn't need to ban abortion to eliminate access to abortion."
Marisa Endicott
FellowBio
Protesters rally in St. Louis, where Missouri's last abortion might close Friday unless a judge intervenes. Jeff Roberson/AP
Update May 31, 2019, 2:50 pm: Hours before the last abortion provider in Missouri was set to close, a St. Louis judge ordered a temporary restraining order that will keep the clinic open until at least Tuesday, when a preliminary injunction hearing is scheduled to take place.
Unless the courts step in, on Saturday, June 1, Missouri will become the first state in the country without an abortion clinic since Roe v. Wade was decided almost 50 years ago. But it's not because of the law that Gov. Mike Parson signed earlier this month banning abortions after eight weeks. Instead, the Planned Parenthood in St. Louis, the last clinic in the state, is being forced to close because the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services is refusing to renew its license unless it complies with certain cumbersome requirements. The tactic, abortion providers and advocates say, is just another strategy to limit abortion access—one with a long and effective history.
"It's a concerted effort to be the first state to shut down abortion in this country," says Alison Dreith, deputy director of the Hope Clinic for Women in Granite City, Illinois, an abortion provider just across the Mississippi River from St. Louis. "[Abortion opponents are] using every tactic and tool they have in their toolbox."
"It's a concerted effort to be the first state to shut down abortion in this country."
After an annual audit of the clinic in March, Missouri's health department told Planned Parenthood that several issues might affect its license renewal, in part due to shifting state requirements. The clinic agreed to some changes, including additional pelvic exams, but refused to comply with the department's request to interview a number of physicians who work at the clinic—most whom are independent providers, not Planned Parenthood employees, and some whom are residents or fellows—as part of an investigation into a patient complaint. The clinic deemed this specific demand "harassment." State officials says they won't issue a new license until they complete their assessment, forcing the clinic to close when its license expires at midnight Saturday.
In a last-minute attempt to keep its doors open, Planned Parenthood filed a lawsuit in St. Louis Circuit Court on Tuesday. It asked the judge for a restraining order and to bar the interview requirement, claiming that officials are improperly tying the license renewal to a patient complaint the state hasn't disclosed. "The state has illegally weaponized the licensing process," says Dr. Leana Wen, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Federation of America. The judge is expected to rule Friday.
While the past few weeks have seen a slew of states pass increasingly restrictive abortion laws, complications with clinics' licenses, like those in Missouri, have been slowly and much more quietly affecting abortion care in several states. Ostensibly, officials are trying to ensure women's safety by taking extra precautions through additional rules and conditions before granting licenses. But many of the requirements aren't, in fact, medically necessary, and they are primarily applied in states that are already hostile to abortion. These licensing requirements, governed by state health departments, come from what are commonly known as TRAP laws (Targeted Regulation of Abortion Providers). The approach picked up steam in the 1990s and has become increasingly popular in the past decade. Health departments have found more and more ways to tweak TRAP laws, shifting the bar for compliance and resulting in continually moving goal posts for clinics trying to comply—like requiring abortion clinics to be within a certain distance of a specific type of hospital, or setting the size for clinic procedure rooms or corridor widths.
"It just seems like another way that a state can use their authority or power to put in place a regulation on an abortion provider that they don't place on any other type of health care clinic," says Nikki Madsen, executive director of the Abortion Care Network, a national association of independent community-based abortion providers.
In Indiana, for instance, the Whole Woman's Health clinic in South Bend recently asked a federal court for relief from state licensing requirements after more than a year and a half of trying to get the state health department to issue its license. (Whole Woman's Health Alliance, the nonprofit overseeing Indian's clinic and others in Texas and Virginia, is already involved in a civil lawsuit against Indiana challenging the constitutionality of its licensing requirements and abortion regulations more broadly, but the trial isn't until August 2020.) After the South Bend clinic initially had its license rejected, it submitted a second application at the department's suggestion but was then asked to submit a huge amount of additional information, much of which the clinic says it already provided.
"It just led us to believe—well, actually, to know—that they have no intention of issuing us a license," says Amy Hagstrom Miller, CEO of Whole Woman's Health Alliance. The South Bend clinic remains shuttered—but, Hagstrom Miller says, it's "fully set up. It's fully furnished. All the equipment is there. It's ready, and it has been for quite some time. It's just sort of sitting there waiting for us to be able to hire staff and offer care."
"It just led us to believe—well, actually to know—that they have no intention of issuing us a license."
Meanwhile, in Kentucky, there were 17 abortion providers shortly after Roe. By the time Republican Matt Bevin became governor in 2015, there were just three. Now there is only one, and it's under siege. To get its license renewed every year, the clinic has long complied with a law requiring abortion providers to have a written transfer agreement with a local hospital. But in 2017, Bevin's administration decided that the transfer agreement had to be signed by the hospital's CEO rather than the head of the OB-GYN department, as had been the case for years without issue. Unable to get a hospital CEO to sign and facing closure, the lone remaining clinic and the ACLU successfully sued to keep the facility open. Last September, a district court judge found there was no medical reason or health benefit to require a written transfer agreement, let alone for the CEO to sign it. The judge also found that Bevin's administration had put political pressure on hospitals not to cooperate with the clinic. "It was this Catch-22," says Brigitte Amiri, deputy director of the ACLU's Reproductive Freedom Project. "Even if you tried to comply, you couldn't, and then there's no other option but to go to court and challenge the action being taken by the department." Bevin's administration has appealed the ruling.
The Kentucky clinic is presently involved in four lawsuits challenging five laws that could shutter its doors, and anti-abortion protesters are there daily. Several people were arrested in 2017 after blockading the facility's doors, keeping all patients either in or out.
Licensing requirements have also been particularly detrimental in Ohio. Like Kentucky, state law requires abortion providers to have written transfer agreements with local hospitals, but it allows the health department to waive the requirement if the facility has one or more doctors with admitting privileges. In the past few years, when clinics have applied for a waiver, the Ohio Department of Health has said they actually need two or three doctors with such privileges. In one case, officials even demanded the clinic have four, according to Amiri at the ACLU, which is heading up litigation against the state over the issue.
Last year, the Ohio Supreme Court ruled that the health department was justified in revoking the license of a Toledo abortion provider in 2014 after the clinic's patient-transfer agreement was invalidated. This followed a rule change that said the partnering hospital had to be local and could not be a public hospital. As attorney general, now-Gov. Mike DeWine forcefully defended the state's actions against the Toledo facility. (The clinic was able to find a new hospital to work with and resumed service in May.)
While the laws may seem mundane, they're complicated and confusing, and that's exactly the point.
While the laws may seem mundane, they're complicated and confusing, and that's exactly the point. Experts argue they could be even more detrimental to the near future of abortion access than laws like Alabama's blanket abortion ban targeting doctors, or Kentucky's and Ohio's laws that make the procedure illegal after six weeks. "While the nation's attention is focused on the abortion bans, which obviously is incredibly important, I think it's also equally important for people to understand that a state doesn't need to ban abortion to eliminate access to abortion," Amiri says. "And so Kentucky and Missouri, these are perfect examples of using laws short of bans…and everyone should be as upset and concerned about that."
These provisions essentially manipulate the landmark 1992 Supreme Court decision Casey v. Planned Parenthood, which upheld the fundamental right to abortion established by Roe but gave states broad authority to regulate the procedure as long as it didn't put "undue burden" on a woman seeking abortion—an ambiguous measure that states and advocates have been fighting over ever since. The Supreme Court even considered some of the TRAP laws in 2016, finding in Whole Woman's Health v. Hellerstedt that Texas laws requiring clinic doctors to have admitting privileges were unconstitutionally limiting women's access to abortion. But these new lawsuits over TRAP laws and subsequent licensing requirements are testing the limits of that ruling, and similar questions of "undue burden" may work their way again to the Supreme Court soon. In February, the Justices temporarily blocked a Louisiana law, almost identical to Texas', that was upheld by a lower court. (Notably, Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, Brett Kavanaugh, and Neil Gorsuch dissented.) The Court has not yet decided whether to hear the Louisiana case.
"Our clinics have been under these threats for many years, but the extremists are becoming more and more emboldened…to see how far they can push them," says Madsen, whose organization includes a network of more than 100 abortion providers.
Missouri is just the latest test case. The second-to-last abortion clinic in the state closed last year after it was unable to get newly required physicians' admitting privileges. Between that closure and a new state requirement for pelvic exams to be performed even for medication abortions, despite the fact that the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists does not recommend this practice, more Missouri women have already started going out-of-state to obtain abortions. If the Planned Parenthood in St. Louis does close, that number will only increase and women in the state could have to drive anywhere from 10 minutes to over three hours across the border to find a clinic. And that's if they have a car. "No one should be forced to navigate these burdensome barriers, including leaving their home state in order to access abortion care," Madsen notes. (The Abortion Care Network recently set up a hotline people can call or text to find their closest abortion provider.)
Between a closure and a new state requirement for pelvic exams to be performed even for medication abortions, more Missouri women have already started going out-of-state to obtain abortions.
Now, the Hope Clinic for Women, right across the border in Illinois, is gearing up for the likely closure of the St. Louis facility. About half of the Hope Clinic's patients already come from Missouri; it's just a 15 minute drive from downtown St. Louis. "It's really been all hands on deck," Dreith says. The clinic had an emergency meeting the day Planned Parenthood announced its pending closure. They hired a lawyer, and they're looking into hiring new staff and the possibility of adding additional hours or days they'll perform abortions.
In contrast to Missouri, Illinois has been actively expanding abortion protections—putting the staff at Hope Clinic on an emotional rollercoaster, as they've seen Illinois shore up reproductive rights while Missouri drastically restricts them. The same day Planned Parenthood said it might close, the Illinois House of Representatives passed a sweeping bill to protect abortion. "We're really seeing it all as this unique border city that is kind of a clinic in two different states, even though we're only operating in one," Dreith says. In April, the Hope Clinic put up a billboard near the state line along the interstate coming from St. Louis that reads: "Welcome to Illinois, where you can get a safe, legal abortion."
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text:
Tinubu faults reports on illness, disquiet in APC campaign council
By Adamu Abuh, Abuja
[FILE PHOTO] Bola Tinubu, former Lagos state governor and All Progressives Congress (APC) leader, speaks at a party meeting in Abuja Febuary 17, 2015. To supporters Tinubu, a Yoruba Muslim, is a wily political operator with a passion for getting the job done and a knack for picking bright, committed technocrats to do it. To critics he is a ruthless godfather who doles out lucrative contracts to his friends' firms, insists on installing his man in office and is capable of sending in street thugs if he fails to get his way. Picture taken Febuary 17, 2015. REUTERS/Afolabi Sotunde
The National Leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu, has described as "fake news," the story making the round that he recently collapsed as a result of ill -health.
Reports in a section of the media had it that Tinubu slumped, collapsed and was rushed to the National Hospital in Abuja shortly after he was appointed as Co-Chairman of the President Buhari Campaign Council during the week.
Fielding questions from reporters at the Lagos Governor's lodge in Abuja shortly after he met with Southwest traditional rulers, Tinubu also faulted notions that the absence of APC governors during the inaugural meeting of the campaign council had to do with perceived disquiet in the ranks of party's chieftains.
Asked to respond to the issues, he simply retorted: "Fake news. Whoever is manufacturing it, you better not believe them. That is negative and fake news too. "The point is, the governors had to stay back home because we all don't have to converge in one place to decide certain modalities when we can easily go back to them on what was discussed and what we expect from your state. That is what we call structuring in an election."He described the visit by the traditional rulers led by Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, as an attestation that they had endorsed the re-election of President Muhammadu Buhari.
"I am very happy and proud of the very promising situation. When you have the endorsement of your royal fathers, it means you have the people with you and the voice of the people is the voice of God. I am elated."The royal fathers spoke of the need for a peace election. When you have the belief that you can get a proper result, you work hard because you want peace. When you believe that you can win, you don't want violence.
"We all love our children, our brothers and our followers and none of us would want our followers to become sacrificial lambs. We won't encourage violent disruption of any election, because we are confidence of winning. Those who are crying wolf before the election have already accepted defeat, as far as I am concerned."He accused the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate and former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, of conniving with former President Olusegun Obasanjo to deny Lagos State its statutory allocations aimed at undermining the state.
"When we led a protest to Atiku then, he said, 'go away. Go and comply. Without those allocation, you cannot bring development.'"When we said we needed power to power Lagos and the industrial base in our region, they said no. They were taking away N250 million from our allocation every month for being innovative and creative. Everywhere we turn, they rejected us and punished us. "But we never gave up. Today, we are in that progressive development championed and led by Buhari."
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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Brighton & Hove Albion defender Greg Halford was delighted to use his long-throw to full effect against Reading.
Halford helped spark the fight back with his when his throw flicked on by Lewis Dunk and slotted home by Jake Forster-Caskey for Albion's first goal on Boxing Day.
He said, "We practised it in training before the Reading match and the lads were surprised that I had this long throwing ability. It's just something I've always had, but due to my shoulder problems I haven't been able to use it as much as I would have liked over the last 18 months.
"I've started having my shoulder problems again so I don't know whether we'll be able to use it on Monday, but it's something I've always had and wherever I've been playing we've scored a lot of goals from it.
"At the moment it's not about looking pretty and playing nice football, it's about winning games and getting ourselves out of the situation we're in.
The 30-year-old believes that the squad have all the momentum they need to get a good result from tonight's match against Fulham at Craven Cottage.
"It's obviously going to be a tough game and they've had an indifferent season. It'd be nice to go there and get one over them, because we obviously owe them one after they beat us at the Amex last month.
"It's still fresh in our memories, but I don't know if revenge is the right word. We'll try to get a result over them and just keep pushing for points.


text:
Sutor Technology Group Limited Reports Third Quarter of Fiscal Year 2015 Financial Results
By: Sutor Technology Group Limited via PR Newswire
May 15, 2015 at 08:00 AM EDT
CHANGSHU, China, May 15, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Sutor Technology Group Limited (the "Company" or "Sutor") (Nasdaq: SUTR), one of the leading China-based manufacturers and service providers for fine finished steel products used by a variety of downstream applications, today announced its unaudited financial results for the third quarter of fiscal year 2015 ended March 31, 2015.
Ms. Lifang Chen, CEO and President of Sutor, commented, "Since the Company changed its traditional production model, Sutor Technology Co., Ltd, one of our subsidiaries ( "Sutor Technology PRC") has become a brand operation and service center. We are pleased to see that Sutor Technology PRC generated 47.6% of Company's total revenue in this fiscal quarter, and its revenue increased by 773.7% compared with the same period of fiscal year 2014. Through our efforts in brand promotion and development of online-to-offline (O2O) E-commerce, Sutor Technology PRC's online orders increased gradually. With active expansion and development in emerging markets, our revenues from related parties in this quarter declined 100.0% compared with the same period of last year.
Ms. Chen continued, "To better build Sutor into a customized fine steel processing service provider, the other three subsidiaries Changshu Huaye Steel Strip Co., Ltd. ("Changshu Huaye"), Jiangsu Cold-Rolled Technology Co., Ltd. ("Jiangsu Cold-Rolled") and Ningbo Zhehua Heavy Steel Pipe Manufacturing Co., Ltd. ("Ningbo Zhehua") carried on customized processing services actively. To further Company's transformation, Ningbo Zhehua introduced two precision cold rolling production lines with capacity of 100,000 and 200,000 metric tons, respectively, to increase our cold rolled market shares and expand the scope of our existing steel pipe lines. These two production lines are now under installation and testing.
"We abandoned massive extensive growth model and are transforming from a traditional steel products manufacturer to an advanced service provider in fine finished steel supply chain. Our efforts in launching O2O E-commerce strategy, constantly improving fine finished steel customized processing model and developing emerging logistic distribution networking system are all our solid steps in reaching goal of transformation. We believe that our transformation and upgrading certainly help us to obtain competitive advantages." Ms. Chen concluded.
Third Quarter of Fiscal Year 2015 Results
Revenue. For the three months ended March 31, 2015, revenue was $21.1 million, compared to $96.4 million for the same period last year, a decrease of $75.3 million, or 78.1 %.The decrease was mainly attributable to the change in our business model. In the past, our revenue was primarily derived from selling manufactured products and the sales price included the cost of steel sheets plus a gross profit. With the fee-based processing services, the price of pure processing services does not include the cost of steel sheets as the customers are responsible for procurement of the raw materials. As a result, revenue from processing one ton of fine finished steel products is only a fraction of the revenue from the traditional business model. Compared with 4.7% fee-based processing service revenue during the same period of last year, 19.1% of its revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2015 generated from fee-based processing service. In addition, we did not produce PPGI steel as the production line was shut down for scheduled technical upgrading.
On a geographic basis, revenue generated from outside of China was $1.3 million, or 5.9% of the total revenue, for the three months ended March 31, 2015, as compared to $3.8 million, or 4.0% of the total revenue, for the same period in 2014. We did not produce PPGI steel as the production line was shut down for scheduled technical upgrading. PPGI products are company's main exported products. In addition, we lowered the price of our products in order to gain international market penetration.
Cost of Revenue. Cost of revenue decreased by $66.9 million, or 75.1%, to $22.2 million in the three months ended March 31, 2015, from $89.1 million in the same period in 2014. As a percentage of revenue, cost of revenue increased to 105.1% in the three months ended March 31, 2015, as compared to 92.4% in the same period last year. The decrease in cost of revenue was mainly due to our new fee-based processing model, which significantly reduced our cost of revenue. However, its percentage of revenue increased because those fixed costs including depreciation and amortization cost did not decrease at the early stage of our transformation period.
Gross profit and gross margin. Gross profit decreased by $8.4 million to $(1.1) million in the three months ended March 31, 2015, from $7.3 million in the same period in 2014. Gross profit as a percentage of revenue (gross margin) was (5.1)% for the three months ended March 31, 2015, as compared to 7.6% for the same period last year. The main reason for the declined gross margin was the upgrading of our PPGI production line and as a result, we did not produce high margin PPGI products during this quarter. In addition, in order to expand sales channels, we offered more competitive prices for processing services to attract more customers.
Total operating expenses. Our total operating expenses was $2.5 million in the three months ended March 31, 2015, from $3.7 million in the same period in 2014. As a percentage of revenue, our total operating expenses increased to 12.0% in the three months ended March 31, 2015, from 3.8% in the same period in 2014.
Selling expenses. Our selling expenses decreased by $0.5 million to $0.5 million in the three months ended March 31, 2015, from $1.0 million in the same period in 2014. As a percentage of revenue, our selling expenses increased to 2.3% for the three months ended March 31, 2015, from 1.0% for the same period last year. The reason for the decreased selling expenses is mainly because we optimized the delivery model which reduced the selling expenses effectively.
General and administrative expenses. General and administrative expenses increased by $0.7 million to $2.0 million, or 9.7% of the total revenue, in the three months ended March 31, 2015, from $2.7 million, or 2.8% of the revenue, in the same period in 2014. The increased general and administrative expenses were primarily due to the increased office expenses and other fixed miscellaneous expenses in this fiscal quarter.
Interest expense. Our interest expense decreased by $1.8 million to $0.2 million in the three months ended March 31, 2015, from $2.0 million in the same period in 2014. As a percentage of revenue, our interest expense was 0.8% of total revenue in the three months ended March 31, 2015, compared to 2.1% in the same period in 2014. The decrease was mainly due to a change in financing structure. We converted bank note payables to short term loans, which reduced the restricted cash and financial cost.
Provision for income taxes. Our income tax benefit was $1.3 million in the three months ended March 31, 2015, from $0.6 million of income tax expense in the same period last year, due to the decreased taxable profit amount.
Net income. Net income, without including the foreign currency translation adjustment, decreased by $3.7 million, or 329.2%, to $(2.6) million in the three months ended March 31, 2015, from $1.1 million in the same period in 2014, as a cumulative result of the above factors.
As of March 31, 2015, we had cash and cash equivalents (excluding restricted cash) of $2.6 million and no restricted cash. Our short-term loans were approximately $203.4 million. We also had approximately $11.0 million long-term loans. As of March 31, 2015, the Company had an unused line of credit with banks of approximately $31.0 million which entitled us to draw bank loans for general corporate purposes. We do not have any large capital expenditure for new investment projects for the coming months.
Sutor's management will host an earnings conference call today, May 15, 2015, at 9:00 a.m. U.S. Eastern time/9:00 pm Beijing/Hong Kong time. Listeners may access the call by dialing US: +1 877 847 0047, CN: 800 876 5011, HK +852 3006 8101, access code: SUTR. A recording of the call will be available shortly after the call through June 15, 2015. Listeners may access it by dialing US: +1 866 572 7808, CN: 800 876 5013, HK: +852 3012 8000, access code: 714488.
Functional Currency
The functional currency of the Company is the Chinese Yuan Renminbi ("RMB"); however, the accompanying financial information has been expressed in United States Dollars ("USD"). The accompanying consolidated balance sheets have been translated into USD at the exchange rates prevailing at each balance sheet date. The accompanying consolidated statements of operations and cash flows have been translated using the weighted-average exchange rates prevailing during the periods of each statement. Transactions in the Company's equity securities have been recorded at the exchange rate existing at the time of the transaction.
About Sutor Technology Group Limited
Sutor is one of the leading China-based manufacturers and service providers for high-end fine finished steel products and welded steel pipes used by a variety of downstream applications. The Company utilizes a variety of in-house developed processes and technologies to convert steel manufactured by third parties into fine finished steel products, including hot-dip galvanized steel, pre-painted galvanized steel, acid-pickled steel, cold-rolled steel and welded steel pipe products. The Company also offers fee-based steel processing services and sells products through electronic commerce platforms. To learn more about the Company, please visit http://www.sutorcn.com/en/index.php.
This press release includes certain statements that are not descriptions of historical facts, but are "forward-looking statements" in nature within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements include, among others, those concerning our expected financial performance, liquidity and strategic and operational plans, our future operating results, our expectations regarding the market for our products, our expectations regarding the steel market, as well as all assumptions, expectations, predictions, intentions or beliefs about future events. You are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and that a number of risks and uncertainties could cause our actual results to differ materially from those anticipated, expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but not limited to, the factors mentioned in the "Risk Factors" section of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2014, and other risks mentioned in our other reports filed with the Securities Exchange Commission ("SEC"). Copies of filings made with the SEC are available through the SEC's electronic data gathering analysis retrieval system (EDGAR) at http://www.sec.gov. The words "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "project," "targets," "optimistic," "intend," "aim," "will" or similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical fact are statements that could be deemed forward-looking statements. The Company assumes no obligation and does not intend to update any forward-looking statements, except as required by law.
Sutor Technology Group Limited
Email: investor_relations@sutorcn.com
Financial Tables Below:
SUTOR TECHNOLOGY GROUP LIMITED AND SUBSIDIARIES
Trade accounts receivable, unrelated parties, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $1,287,544 and $1,368,723, respectively
Trade accounts receivable, related parties
Notes receivables
Other receivables and prepayments, unrelated parties, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $325,427 and $255,628, respectively
Other receivables and prepayments, related parties
Advances to suppliers, unrelated parties, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $619,141 and $527,673, respectively
Advances to suppliers, related parties
Current deferred tax assets
Advances for purchase of long term assets
Long-term advances to suppliers, related parties, net
Long-term investments
Accounts payable, unrelated parties
Accounts payable, related parties
Other payables and accrued expenses, unrelated parties
Other payables and accrued expenses, related parties
Advances from customers, unrelated parties
Advances from customers, related parties
Warrant liabilities
Long-term loans, unrelated parties
Long-term loans, related parties
Undesignated preferred stock - $0.001 par value; 1,000,000 shares authorized; nil shares outstanding
Common stock - $0.001 par value;
authorized: 500,000,000 shares as of March 31, 2015 and June 30, 2014;
issued: 42,282,267 shares and 42,252,267 shares as of March 31, 2015 and June 30, 2014, respectively
Statutory reserves
Less: Treasury stock, at cost, 590,838 as of March 31, 2015 and June 30, 2014
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
For The Nine Months Ended
Revenue from unrelated parties – sales of goods
Revenue from unrelated parties – services
Revenue from related parties – sales of goods
Revenue from related parties - services
(142,025,978)
Selling expenses
Other Incomes/(Expenses):
Changes in fair value of warrant liabilities
Total Other Expenses, net
Income/(Loss) Before Taxes
Income tax (expense)/benefit
Net Income/(Loss)
Other Comprehensive Income:
Foreign currency translation adjustment
Comprehensive Income/(Loss)
Basic Earnings/(Loss) per Share
Diluted Earnings/(Loss) per Share
Basic Weighted Average Shares Outstanding
Diluted Weighted Average Shares Outstanding
Net (loss)/income
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by/(used in) operating activities
Provision/(reversal) for doubtful accounts
Foreign currency exchange gain
Gain on disposal of property, plant and equipment
Changes in current assets and liabilities:
Trade accounts receivable, unrelated parties
Other receivables and prepayments, unrelated parties
Advances to suppliers, unrelated parties
Net Cash (Used in)/Provided by Operating Activities
Proceeds from disposal of property, plant and equipment
Payments for short-term investments
Proceeds from sale of short-term investments
Net Cash Provided by/(Used In) Investing Activities
Proceeds from loans
Repayment of loans
Changes in restricted cash
Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Period
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period
Supplemental Non-Cash Information:
Accounts payable for purchase of long-term assets
Advances for purchase of long-term assets
Supplemental Cash Flow Information:
Cash paid during the period for interest expense
Cash paid during the period for income tax
To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/sutor-technology-group-limited-reports-third-quarter-of-fiscal-year-2015-financial-results-300084038.html
SOURCE Sutor Technology Group Limited


Source: London Yearly Meeting, Christian Life, Faith, and Thought, Being the First Part of Christian Discipline of the Religious Society of Friends of Great Britain. London: Friends' Book Centre, 1922.
In the beginning of the year 1655, I was at the plough in the east parts of Yorkshire in Old England, near the place where my outward being was; and, as I walked after the plough, I was filled with the love and presence of the living God, which did ravish my heart when I felt it, for it did increase and abound in me like a living stream, so did the life and love of God run through me like precious ointment giving a pleasant smell, which mad me to stand still. And, as I stood a little still, with my heart and mind stayed upon the Lord, the word of the Lord came to me in a still, small voice, which I did hear perfectly, saying to me in the secret of my heart and conscience, "I have have ordained thee a prophet unto the nations," and, at the hearing of the word of the Lord, I was put to a stand, seeing that I was but a child for such a weighty matter. So, at the time appointed, Barbados was set before me, unto which I was required of the Lord to go and leave my dear and loving wife and tender children; for the Lord said unto me, immediately by HIs Spirit, that He would be as an husband to my wife and as a father to my children, and they should not want in my absence, for He would provide for them when I was gone. And I believed the Lord would perform what He had spoken, because I was made willing to give up myself to His work and service, to leave all and follow Him, whose presence and life is with me, where I rest in peace and quietness of spirit, with my dear brother [William Robinson] under the shadow of His wings, who hath made us willing to lay down our lives for His name's sake, if unmerciful men be suffered to take them from us. And, if they do, we know we shall have rest and peace with the Lord for ever in His holy habitation, when they shall have torment night and day.
So, in obedience to the living God, I made preparation to pass to Barbados in the Fourth month [June] 1658. So, after some time that I had been on the said island in the service of God, I heard that New England had made a law to put the servants of the living God to death if they returned after they were sentenced away, which did come near me at that time; and, as I considered the thing and pondered it in my heart, immediately came to word of the Lord unto me, saying, "Thou knowest not but that thou mayst go thither."
But I kept this word in my heart and did not declare it to any until the time appointed, so, after that, a vessel was made ready for Rhode Island, which I passed in. so, after a little time that I had been there, visiting the seed which the Lord had blessed, the word of the Lord came to me saying, "Go to Boston with they brother William Robinson," and at His command I was obedient and gave up to His will, that so His work and service may be accomplished. for He had said unto me that He had a great work for me to do, which is now come to pass. And, for yielding obedience to and for obeying the voice and command of the everlasting God, which created heaven and earth and the foundations of waters, do I, with my dear brother, suffer outward bonds near unto death.
And this is given forth to be upon record, that all people may know who hear it, that we came not in our own will but in the will of God.


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Friday Questions. Boo!
Happy Halloween. Trick or Friday Questions?
Matt gets us started:
It seems to me that successful plays used to be made into movies. Maybe I am missing them, but that doesn't appear to me to be happening anymore. But I don't understand why. Seems like you would have a built in audience, good press already and in general plays would be more plot driven and cheaper to produce as movies. They wouldn't have to be blockbusters to be a financial success. Can you explain this to me or at least tell me I am wrong?
Plays are still adapted to movies but less frequently. DINNER WITH FRIENDS springs to mind. First of all, there are fewer original plays getting to Broadway. Revivals and adaptations of Disney movies are clogging up the theatres these days -- an alarming trend to be sure.
Another problem is that plays often are set in one location – like an apartment. (Again -- DINNER WITH FRIENDS). It's sometimes difficult to open up a play and make it more visual without losing the essence of the piece. Plays are more dialogue driven. Movies are controlled by images.
Also, plays are sometimes very stylistic, taking advantage of the theatrical experience. When converted to the real world of film they often lose their magic.
That said, my play A OR B? (now playing at the Falcon Theatre) would make a great motion picture. Please contact my agent.
From Jim:
I'm just a bit curious to know what your writing process is when its just you. No partner, no assistant, and I guess no budget for anything like that, just you. Do you sit at your PC quietly typing stuff out, the benefit of years in the business. Or do you try and re-enact everything yourself, complete with impressions of your actors, using whatever you've got to hand as props.
I work on my desktop Apple or laptop Apple, just quietly typing (and mostly deleting). Often I'll have '60s music playing. I like the energy and variety. And what's better inspiration for writing comedy than "Eve of Destruction?"
When I'm finished with several scenes I print them out and revise off of that. Often I will read it aloud to hear the rhythm. I'm very big on flow and having the dialogue sound conversational and natural.
I never act anything out. I'm way too klutzy.
Steve B. has a question regarding my review of SELFIE:
I saw the pilot, and felt exactly the same way as you did. But you seem to completely dismiss the chances for the show after one episode. We've all seen shows that eventually find their legs and grow greatly over the first season. What is there about a show that will make you give up at the very beginning, and what might give you a little hope to hang in there?
Look, there are shows you watch and see something of value even if it's undercooked and are willing to give it another chance or two. And then there are shows you see and go "Ugh!!" That's just human nature. You hate the premise, hate the actors, don't think it's amusing or compelling, and time's too short. For me it's often the writing. For most people it's the casting.
But now there's a third viewing option: shows you hate-watch. There's something about the train wreck aspect of them that just fascinates you. Watching how inept, how stupid, how unfunny they are is oddly entertaining. We're a sick society… well, some of us are.
What shows do you hate-watch?
Brian Phillips wonders:
Who did you work with that had a bad reputation, or you heard bad things about, that turned out to be a positive working experience?
Producer Scott Rudin. I had heard horror stories but found him smart, respectful, supportive, and helpful. Of the many studio producers or executives I've worked with, he's one of my favorites.
And I've mentioned this before, Kristin Chenowith. I directed three episodes of her sitcom KRISTIN and she could not have been nicer, more professional, and gracious – not just to me but everyone on the crew. That's the real tell with actors – how do they treat crew members? Kristin was absolutely lovely. I would work with her again in a second.
Have a safe and sane Halloween tonight. Leave your questions in the comment section and come see my play. Only a couple of weeks left.
You'll be happy to know that now that ABC has cancelled Manhattan Love Story, they're doubling up on Selfie, which is on life support. I'm disappointed on the quick hook as I found Analeigh Tipton to be fascinating to watch. Not classically good looking, but oozes vulnerability, which always gets me. She's already booked for supporting roles in several movies, so I'm sure in time she'll find the right role. Jake McDorman reminded me of the poor man's Seth Rogen, another actor I like who finally had a hit movie in Neighbors.
As far as love-hate (I already mentioned Dragnet yesterday), for current shows it's gotta be Bad Judge. Kate Walsh seems to be having the time of her life playing her character so outrageously, but I can't get into the rest of the cast or the plots.
BTW, very smart to speak nice of Scott Rudin. There's a guy who could get A or B? to Broadway just like that.
I now hate-watch "Glee". The fact that it's still on the air, but "Enlisted", "Surviving Jack" and "Raising Hope" proves that FOX was on some good shit last season.
As for the "Selfie" question, some shows aren't worth bothering with as evidenced by their quick cancellation.
Such was not the case with "Manhattan Love Story". I hate romantic comedies, but after it was cancelled, I watched the four aired episodes. ABC was WAY off base pulling the plug so quickly.
Ron Smith said...
I'm hate-watching "Mulaney" on Fox, hoping sometime in thirty minutes they'll give a decent line to the great Martin Short I can laugh at. So far there's been-- one (he probably ad-libbed that one).
Hate to say it, but I still fully intend on hate-watching The Newsroom's final season. I've mostly just stopped watching shows that are actively awful so I can fit more of the good stuff in (Gotham lasted 2.5 episodes in my rotation, which is 1.5 more than Teen Wolf ever did), but you bet your ass I will be watching The Newsroom live, Twitter in one hand and wine in the other. For me it's the combination of a talented writer/producer, a talented cast, and an interesting premise and setting that somehow all combines into one giant s***storm.
Brian Phillips said...
Thanks for answering my question. Here is another one. "Modern Family" had a great pilot episode. You have previously said that the second episodes are harder.
That being said, what are some great second episodes of shows that you liked?
Friday Question Ken:
You've said that show Runners are the ones that give a show it's atmosphere, appearance, tone and timing. How does a guest director (such as yourself or one of the cast members) make their mark if they are given the opportunity to direct? Is it supposed to be seamless to the television audience, and we wouldn't know it was a "Levine Direction" unless we saw the credits? thanks.
Gerry said...
I wouldn't call it "hate-watching" but for years we have watched "CSI Miami" strictly for its camp value. My wife calls David Caruso "the sideways cop".
This is the wrong answer, but I'd rather find new shows or movies to like or rewatch good shows or movies I've seen a lot. I do probably hate-watch LANCELOT LINK: SECRET CHIMP on Hulu. It's kinda nostalgic too, because I used to watch the reruns on Nickelodeon when I was little. For what it is, the show was pretty impressive and funny (brought to us by some of the minds behind GET SMART!)
You've all been hate-watching? Welcome to my parlour, children. Yes, the drinks are harmless...
ScottyB said...
Hate-watching is dangerous. I hate-watched 'It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia' ... and then I reallyreally started liking it more and more.
I started hate-watching Charlie Sheen's 'Arrested Development' ... and then found myself laughing more times than not, and realizing even more that Barry Corbin is really fucking funny (I always knew Shawnee Smith is a total babe, tho).
That said, I totally refuse to hate-watch 'Bad Judge' more than the once I've seen it. Some things are just too dreadful to even have a train to wreck.
BetterYeti said...
Following up on this, I think the larger "theatricality" of performance and dialogue works on stage in a way that doesn't gel with the naturalism we've come to expect in movies. Jodi Foster's screen version of "Carnage" is a good example of this. Never did I think I was looking at real people while I could see these pantomime characters working on stage.
Pete Grossman said...
Re: Kristin Chenowith
My buddy who introduced me to your blog had the same positive experience with her and welcomes the opportunity again in a heartbeat.
The Mutt said...
Friday Question: During your current theater experience, have you encountered the many theater superstitions? (No whistling, Macbeth, break-a-leg, etc.)
And are there similar superstitions in the TV business?
diego said...
ENTOURAGE is the ultimate hate watch
Tim W. said...
I don't understand hate-watching something. There are enough decent shows, and simply not enough time for me to watch shows I don't thoroughly enjoy.
Cristina said...
Hi Ken is there a way to resuscitate a bad show on the brink of cancellation like Selfie? As a writer can you do something to turn around a show to make it watchable and funnier? Thanks
MikeK Pa: Analeigh Tipton was very good in CRAZY, STUPID, LOVE and DAMSELS IN DISTRESS. Never would've expected it from a former AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL contestant!
Seth Rogen was in several hit movies before NEIGHBORS, including THE 40 YEAR OLD VIRGIN, KNOCKED UP, PINEAPPLE EXPRESS and THIS IS THE END.
As for hate-watching, I try not to do it, but it happened with FARGO. That may sound odd, since the show had a lot going for it, especially its high production value and superb casting, but I found its attempts to be Coen-esque just pointed up its inferiority to the original. And boy, did it have a lot of dumb plot points and forced humor.
And then there's NASHVILLE, which I started out love-watching, but it's become so ridiculous. It's still a guilty pleasure, though, so maybe it doesn't qualify as a hate-watch.
Patrick: Watching the Twitter feed and *not* watching the show would be, for me, a far preferable strategy for THE NEWSROOM.
jbryant: NASHVILLE has become an enormous disappointment. The big USP for me was always the music, but either the budget or the talent in that area has shrunk drastically, and the storylines are soap cartoons. That said, I can't abandon the show because of the Stella sisters. They are amazing.
Ralph C. said...
I've never hate-watched any tv series but, due to my favorite show of all-time, Mystery Science Theater 3000, I've watched movies that I thought would be bad, like "Cool As Ice", as an example. If I was to hate-watch anything, I'd ale sure to have at least one person watching it with me so I can riff on it and have an audience.
I have a fine example of changes in a play turned into a movie: Hecht and MacArthur's "Twentieth Century," later converted into a film starring the lady in my avatar. The play was entirely set aboard the fabled Twentieth Century train, but the first 40% or so of the film sets up the characters and story -- the rise to fame of Lily Garland (nee lingerie saleslady Mildred Plotka), the rise and fall of her relationship with impresario Oscar Jaffe, who discovered and honed her, and Lily's decision to head for Hollywood, sending Oscar into both a professional and personal funk. Once Oscar boards the train and learns that Lily's on board, the riotous fun begins. (This is the film that made Carole Lombard a star, and definitely John Barrymore's best comedic performance.)
And since you brought up Kristin Chenoweth, let's come full circle: Broadway's little giant will play Lily Garland in a revival of the musical based on the play-turned-movie, "On The Twentieth Century." (Its initial B'way won plaudits for Madeline Kahn.) Learn more about the production, which will have a limited run in NYC next spring, at http://www.roundabouttheatre.org/Shows-Events/On-the-Twentieth-Century.aspx
Hey Ken, any chance for an off-Broadway run of your play here in NY. I'd love to see it but...
pumpkinhead said...
I don't really have anything of interest to day today (if in fact I ever do), but I would feel remiss not leaving some sort of a comment today of all days, given my moniker. Happy Halloween, sir!
jbryant: I know Seth had some early success with Knocked Up etc., but since Pineapple Express it was one bomb after another with the zenith being Guilt Trip. I really like him and rooting for him to find better vehicles. Harrison Ford made a career of picking great projects for such as wooden actor as he is. Seth's likability is off the charters.
Phantom Dreamer said...
Anger Management.
Dana Gabbard said...
I actually watched Manhattan Love Story. Analeigh Tipton was quite good. I felt Jake McDorman's character was only fitfully interesting, which hobbled his performance. It might have developed into a decent show if given a chance. Although I found the "hear their thoughts" gimmick added only a little humor and easily could be dispensed with.
Another new show I am watching is Forever. It is mostly a procedural with a sci-fi component. I think its premise will likely be exhausted in 8-10 episodes. They use the NY setting well. And what a pleasure to watch Judd Hirsch. He steals the show.
404 said...
I'll be honest: I watched SELFIE and completely agreed with you on the pilot. But I stuck around, and I'm glad I did. Every episode has gotten better and it's one I hope they keep.
CRL said...
Looks like 'A Or B' is going to have a longer run than 'A To Z'....
Jabroniville said...
Does Kristin Chenoweth really have that bad a reputation? Everyone in threatre has heard the rumors if her and Idina Menzel on the WICKED set, but that just seems like opposite personalities to me (the poised pro versus the more free-wheeling manic type).
John Foster Dolls said...
Not a TV show, but I checked out "Valley of the Dolls" on Netflix. I knew it had a shlocky reputation, and I'd read the old MAD Magazine parody. So I thought, "Well, let's see."
Train wreck? All of Grand Central Station was in flames.
Albert Giesbrecht said...
I hate watch Jack Van Impe. He predicted the end of the world on Y2K; when nothing happened, he waited until Obama became President to blame him for everything.
I was going to say that I don't hate watch anything, but then I realized that I do watch Fox News and the 700 Club and other televangelists. I've written for a few comedy troupes over the years and you can't beat them for material.
Ken, who is your agent (her/his email)?
My agent is Josh Hornstock at UTA.
lsefton said...
Hi Ken,
A group of librarians (really!) are trying to remember which sitcom this is. Here's the information:
"There was an opening theme song to a 80s or 90s tv show where someone is painting a room, then someone opens a door and the first someone paints that persons face by accident. What is the show?"
So far there's a lot of "oh I know that show, I just don't know the name!", but no name. Any ideas?
The future of network sitcoms
At least I wasn't naked
Oh no! Another TV rant from me
Closing in on Opening Night
R.I.P. Dale Dorman
How we plotted stories on MASH
First review is in
What movies do you hate that everyone else loves?
The pros and cons of networking
What's a "Bono?"
What words kan't you spell?
Different sitcom styles -- where do I fit in?
What makes a good Warm-Up Man?
My latest rant
"Beating" jokes
Did USA welcome our characters?
Stop crying already!
Dealing with horrible bosses
THE EQUALIZER: My review
What I'm up to this week
Okay, I'm weird, but everybody is weird.
David Hyde Pierce: guest blogger
Great advice for all writers (not just young ones)
Did I really say that?


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Home Business A Peek At What Gran Tierra Energy Inc. (GTE) Insiders Are Doing
A Peek At What Gran Tierra Energy Inc. (GTE) Insiders Are Doing
SNOW Stock
Gran Tierra Energy Inc. (AMEX:GTE) saw a downside of -2.04% to $0.95 after subtracting -$0.02 on Tuesday. The 5-day average trading volume is 1,854,615 shares of the company's common stock. It has gained $0.9800 in the past week and touched a new high 2 times within the past 5 days. An average of 2,320,044 shares of the company has been traded in the last 20 days, and the 50-day average volume stands at 3,601,486.
GTE's 1-month performance is 8.28% or -$0.0021 on its low of $0.8330 reached on 01/05/23. The company's shares have touched a 52-week low of $0.76 and high of $2.15, with the stock's rally to the 52-week high happening on 01/03/23. YTD, GTE has lost -2.17% or -$0.0390 and has reached a new high 1 time. However, the current price is down -55.87% from the 52-week high price.
GTE stock has a beta of 2.47. Moving on to other valuation ratios, the trailing price-to-sales (P/S) ratio is 0.48 while the price-to-book (PB) in the most recent quarter is 0.67, with the price to cash flow ratio at 1.30.
Gran Tierra Energy Inc.'s quick ratio for the recent period was 0.60, with the current ratio over the same period at 0.70. In terms of profitability, the gross margin trailing 12 months is 76.10%. The firm's gross profit as reported stood at $330.08 million against revenue of $473.72 million.
Net income and sales went down compared to those figures reported in the previous quarter. Net income grew 145.6% to $38.66 million, while revenue of $52.97 million was -37.02% off the previous quarter. EBITDA for the quarter stood at more than $117.89 million. GTE stock balance sheet for the recent quarter shows that total liabilities totaled 881.75 million, with total debt at $578.28 million. Shareholders hold equity totaling $368.9 million.
Let's look briefly at Gran Tierra Energy Inc. (GTE) price momentum from a technical analysis perspective. The 9-day relative strength index as at close on 23 January was 54.95% to suggest the stock is trending Neutral, with historical volatility in this time period at 37.79%.
The stock's 5-day moving average is $0.9492, reflecting a +3.57% or $0.0328 change from its current price. GTE is currently trading +2.07% above its 20-day SMA, -29.03% above its 100-day SMA. However, the stock's current price level is away from the SMA50 by -20.08% and SMA200 by-39.04%.
In the most recent analyst report for Gran Tierra Energy Inc. (AMEX: GTE), Canaccord Genuity launched coverage with a Buy rating. Analysts offering their rating for GTE stock have a consensus rating for the stock as Overweight. Currently, 0 brokerage advisors rate GTE as a "sell,", while 3 advise that investors "Hold." 0 analysts have rated the stock as underweight. 0 rates the stock as overweight while 4 have offered a "buy" rating.
What is GTE's price target for the next 12 months?
Analysts have a consensus price target ranging from a low of $1.12 and a high of $4.65, with their median price target at $1.79. Looking at these predictions, the average price target given by analysts is for Gran Tierra Energy Inc. (GTE) stock is $2.16.
AMEX:GTE
Gran Tierra Energy Inc.
GTE stock
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TV: Watch 'Madam Secretary' on CBS
TONIGHT'S MUST-SEE: "Madam Secretary," 9 p.m., CBS.
Matt Mahoney, Elizabeth's speechwriter, is often overlooked; tonight, he's at the core of a strong story. Matt is half-Pakistani on his mother's side (as is Geoffrey Arend, who plays him); when a terrorist turns out to be from his mosque, he faces scrutiny.
This is an involving story, well-played; so are two others: In one, Elizabeth confronts a Saudi official whose cousin is linked to the bombing; in another, her husband (Tim Daly) tries to help the despondent young Russian whom he pressured into becoming a spy.
TONIGHT'S MIGHT-SEE: "Son of Zorn," 8:30 p.m., Fox.
TV comedies love Thanksgiving, a time when they can lump together some mismatched people. Here's the first one of the season – complete with the consummate mismatch.
Zorn never really got along with his mother-in-law – possibly because he impregnated her daughter, who then left college ... or possibly because he's shirtless, a cartoon and has anger issues, throwing her car into space. Now he's divorced, but wedges his way to Thanksgiving dinner. In a sometimes-funny episode, he tries to make a better impression; he even wears a shirt and makes a stab at adding pants..
TONIGHT'S ALTERNATIVE: "Expedition Mars," 9 p.m., National Geographic, rerunning at 11.
For a time in the 1990s, this documentary says, NASA and its Mars mission were floundering. Then they were rescued by two space rovers.
The Spirit and Opportunity reached Mars in 2004 and worked for six years, exceeding expectations.
"Expedition" focuses on them ... and sets up a mega-project: On Monday, the channel will launch "Mars," a six-week epic that skillfully mixes a fictional story (in 2033) and current experts.
Other choices include:
Football preview, 7 p.m., and kick-off, 8:20, NBC. Two years ago, this was the Super Bowl match-up, with Tom Brady's New England Patriots edging Russell Wilson's Seattle Seahawks. The Seahawks slipped slightly last year, but now they have a 5-2-1 record; they visit the Patriots, who are 7-1.
"Masterpiece: Durrells in Corfu," 8 p.m., PBS. The stuffy relatives arrive and don't seem to understand the pleasures of living in a house with lots of creatures and no electricity or toilets. That part follows the standard stuffy-folks stereotypes; the delightful parts come when Louisa tries to take charge. And setting up next week's season-finale, romances take big steps forward and backward.
"The Simpsons," 8 p.m., Fox. Other shows have Cuban episodes; now "The Simpsons" can have one without all the expense of going there. The family takes Grandpa there, in search of free medical care.
"Secrets and Lies," 9 p.m., ABC. At first, Eric was the prime suspect in his wife's murder. But now the secret sins of his brother put the whole family and its business in jeopardy. Also, there's a deadly surprise about their father. And Detective Cornell has her own personal crisis.
"The Walking Dead," 9-10:25 p.m., AMC, rerunning at 11:25. In the previous two episodes (rerunning at 6:55 and 8 p.m., some of the people found a sort-of safe community. Tonight, the others try to hold out in Alexandria, then receive as sobering visit.
"Quantico," 10 p.m., ABC. In the CIA training, Owen teaches enhanced interrogation, with the students using him as their target. And in the future, a president is sworn in and Miranda faces a decision.
"Elementary," 10 p.m., CBS. Sherlock's relationship with Fiona is at a crossroads. Meanwhile, he's probing a mass murder that involved snake venom at a tasting party.


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Exelon Foundation Supports Important Work of We Are Family
Company volunteers will team with the nonprofit to deliver food to home-bound District of Columbia residents
WASHINGTON – Exelon awarded a $25,000 grant to We Are Family, a leading nonprofit dedicated to addressing service gaps for senior citizens in the nation's capital. The grant benefits We Are Family's efforts to provide resources, such as grocery delivery, and serve as advocates for hundreds of seniors, connecting them to essential support services.
"The outreach and care offered by organizations like We Are Family is essential to supporting the roughly one-third of America's seniors who live alone, often in isolation," said Maggie FitzPatrick, Exelon's senior vice president of Corporate Affairs, Philanthropy and Customer Engagement, citing the U.S. Administration on Aging. "Exelon supports organizations that keep our communities closely connected, and We Are Family's work provides a vital lifeline for our seniors."
On May 20, FitzPatrick, a resident of northwest Washington, will join other Exelon and Pepco employees to deliver food to home-bound seniors who struggle to access affordable, healthy meals. They will join the more than 3,000 We Are Family community volunteers who have contributed to the success of the food delivery programs. In 2016 alone, We Are Family and its volunteers delivered more than 8,500 grocery bags, conducted 540 in-home outreach visits, donated hundreds of Thanksgiving baskets and holiday gifts and saved three seniors from eviction.
"Our volunteers work each day to create affinity and lasting connections between people of all walks of life and to foster a community that honors its elders – where neighbors look out for each other, where no one is forgotten and where everybody matters," said Mark Andersen, co-director of We Are Family. "We are heartened by Exelon's community leadership and contribution to our grocery delivery program, which helps seniors in D.C. live comfortably and continue aging with dignity."
We Are Family was created in 2004 with a donation from multi-platinum punk band Good Charlotte and its ally, Positive Force DC, to leaders and community members in the North Capitol neighborhood. This unique intersection of people – young and old, black, brown and white, faith-based and secular – came together to address various gaps in senior care for their community. Since then, We Are Family has expanded the reach and impact of its services, which now serve the Shaw, Columbia Heights, Petworth and Adams Morgan neighborhoods.
Fortune recently named Exelon to its 2017 list of the World's Most Admired Companies, which, in part, recognized the company for social responsibility initiatives such as charitable giving to organizations like We Are Family. Last year, Exelon employees contributed more than 170,000 hours of community service, and Exelon companies and the Exelon Foundation donated more than $46 million to nonprofits – the largest amount ever for the company.
For more information on Exelon's commitment to the areas where its employees live, work and serve, visit www.exeloncorp.com/community.
To learn more about We Are Family's work and impact, visit www.wearefamilydc.org.
Robin Levy
robin.levy@exeloncorp.com
Exelon Corporate Communications


Oil is one commodity that is watched closely by investors across the globe and can make or break governments and economies. When U.S. underwent a political change in November 2016, the position of the U.S. at a global level and its energy potential was one topic that took center stage. While Obama's government was sensitive towards climate change and increased regulations on the energy sector, Trump promised that every new regulation will replace two existing regulations, something that we believe will impact the energy sector the most. Donald Trump also promised to make the U.S. an energy independent nation. Given the current economic and political scenario and campaign promises made by Trump, investing in oil and gas could be very rewarding. Still not convinced? We give more reasons why investing in the energy sector in today's economy makes more sense than ever.
During Obama's reign, the cost of doing business in the energy sector was high because of increased regulations. The U.S has enormous reserves of oil and gas, and less regulations in the energy sector means lower production cost with an increased output. Besides this, the technological advancements such as fracking and horizontal drilling have increased the production of oil and gas as well. The cost involved in the overall production is expected to further decrease in coming years with the output predicted to increase, which might take the U.S. closer to being a more energy independent nation.
The Trump administration promised to rebuild the aging infrastructure including roads, airports, and bridges, which would create jobs. Such a mass-level rebuild will require ample raw materials, so the demand for metals, energy, and minerals will rise in coming time. Infrastructural developments are likely to benefit the economy, and if GDP rises, the demand for oil will increase, and so will its prices.
Oil and gas is a necessity in every nation around the globe. If you are exploring investment options that can deliver promising returns in the long run, consider oil and gas. Our blog post on IEA's prediction in 2017 will give you more reasons to invest in energy sector. For those who have already made up their mind, FigTree Capital Ventures LLC is here to guide you with making educated oil and gas investments decisions in the U.S. Give us a call at (866) 300-2170 and our investment experts will be happy to assist you.


text:
Tracking Islamic State
IS Releases Shocking Video Of Child Seemingly Beheading Syrian Officer
July 17, 2015 12:43 GMT
By Joanna Paraszczuk
The new video is the first time that Islamic State has documented a child carrying out a beheading.
It is hard for the militant group Islamic State (IS) to break new grounds of cruelty and brutality. But it succeeded on July 16 with a video showing a young child who appears no older than 10 purportedly beheading a Syrian Army officer.
Although IS has released previous footage of its use of children to kill prisoners and hostages, this is the first time that it has documented a child carrying out a beheading.
The video, released on the evening of July 16, shows militants and a child with a man who says he is a Syrian Army officer captured by IS near Palmyra in Homs Province, according to the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), which monitors the conflict in Syria.
One of the militants is filmed saying that IS's ultimate goal is to conquer Jerusalem and Rome.
The child then raises the severed head aloft before placing it on the victim's body.
The captive officer, whose hands are tied behind his back, is made to lie face down on the floor while the child stands over him, lifts his head by the hair, and cuts his throat with a knife before the scene is broken by an edit.
The child then is shown raising the severed head aloft before placing it on the victim's body.
Child 'Executioners'
IS's use of children to carry out execution-style killings is becoming more frequent.
The extremist group released a video earlier this month showing 25 Syrian government soldiers being shot by boys or young teenagers in a grisly public "ceremony" in the ancient city of Palmyra.
In a shocking video released in January, IS showed a child militant appearing to shoot two men accused of being Russian spies.
And in March, the group used a child aged about 12 to shoot dead a Palestinian man IS claimed was an Israeli spy.
IS has involved children in beheadings before. A video released in March showed a child distributing knives to an adult militant to be used at a mass beheading of at least five victims.
IS has also made children attend public execution-style killings, and has even filmed interviews with boys aged between 11 and 14 who were made to attend a public screening of a video showing Jordanian pilot Muadh al-Kasasbeh being burned alive.
Under The Black Flag
"Under The Black Flag" provides news, opinion, and analysis about the impact of the Islamic State (IS) extremist group in Syria, Iraq, and beyond. It focuses not only on the fight against terrorist groups in the Middle East, but also on the implications for the region and the world.


Odisha now days becomes one of the leading tourist place in India, here thousands of temple, cultural and traditional monuments along with natural beauty of forest and wildlife etc brings tourist attention. Apart from all these Buddhism and Buddhist Sculptures located in Odisha brings tourist attention towards Odisha Buddhist Tours. After great battle of Kalinga, Samrat Ashok adopts Buddhism and constructed many Buddhist Temples in different places of Odisha. Some of the Buddhist creatures are still alive and tourist love to watch those. Dhauli Giri Buddhist Temple is one of the iconic place for the tourist those visited Odisha for Buddhist Tour.
The capital city Bhubaneswar is a nice place to stay and relax; here you can get all facilities to enjoy. Also it is very nearer to Buddhist temple located in nearby places, so most of the foreign tourist loves to stay in Bhubaneswar during their Odisha Buddhist Tours. Tourists get internal satisfaction and piece after visit Buddhist temples, so day by day Buddhist Tour Packages in Odisha increasing. If you also want some special and peaceful time in your life then book Buddhist Tours.
Arrival at Bhubaneswar and Transfer to Hotel. Rest of the day free for own activities. Overnight at Bhubaneswar.
During morning after breakfast full day city tour of Temple city Bhubaneswar famous for beautiful architecture (One of the Most Important Temple, Mukteswar Temple, influenced by Buddhism) Later Odisha (Orissa) State Museum with lot of Buddhist Sculptors collected from different Budhist archaeological sites of Odisha (Orissa) and Khandagiri & Udaygiri Jain Caves of 2nd Cen B C. Overnight at Bhubaneswar.
After breakfast visit Dhauli, famous for Asokan Rock Edicts and Place where battle of Kalinga was Fought in 261 B.C that made a great change in the mind of Ashok so that he became Buddhist. Also Visit Peace Pagada. Later visit Pipili appliqu village and World heritage site Sun Temple of Konark (Watch the Buddhist influence on this temple ) & Famous Jagannath Temple and Back to Bhubaneswar. Overnight at Hotel.
During morning after breakfast full day Excursion to Lalitigiri ( Archeological site of a Buddhist Monastery from 4th to 8th Cen A D ) with Monastery parts and many votive Stupa, all different Buddhist sculptors with Chaita hall and a Huge stupa from where caskets of Budhas relic is available, Ratnagiri, the Largest Buddhist monastery we have till know, flourished from 4th to 14th century A D with most of sculptors of Vajrayanic sect, hundreds of Votive Stupa & brick Stupa and huge monastery . Later visit Udaygiri, another huge Buddhist monastery which still under excavation ,back Bhubaneswar for overnight stay.


text:
The Witch and the Wolf
The Witch and the Vampire
The Witch's Thief
The Witch's Kiss
Loving Boone
Tempting Benjamin
Claiming Cody
Her Haunted Valentine
Stranded With the Jaguar
Her Alien Kiss
Her Alien Lover
The Pirate's Lady
Alien Embrace
Captured and Captivated
A Cursed All Hallows Eve
Curse of Christmas
Falling For Shifters
Heart of a Phoenix
Holidays Bite
A Kiss and a Promise
Mermaidia
Midsummer Night Shifts
Pirates: A Boys Behaving Badly Anthology
Stolen and Seduced
Sweeter Than Chocolate
A Very Alien Christmas
A Wink and a Smile
Winter Kiss
Winter Tails
Also Available in Print!
To save her sister's life, Julia Grey seeks a spell hidden somewhere within Merriweather Manor. Her position as a lady's companion affords her the freedom to search the house. But time is running out. The necromancer she's bargained with is growing impatient. And an unexpected appearance of a man from her past makes matters worse in an already complicated situation.
Basil Merriweather returns to England after ten years abroad to discover his childhood sweetheart living in his home. But, he's no longer the carefree man of his youth and she's hiding something--deadly secrets Basil vows to uncover even as he hides a dark secret of his own.
While neither Basil nor Julia will trust in the other, their hearts speak a truer language. In a grand attempt to save Julia's sister and Basil's life, the two must finally confess sinister truths. Will their admissions help or hinder any future they may have together? Or will the necromancer destroy all in a vile attempt at revenge.
"What are you doing?"
He ignored her frantic questioning. Instead, he blocked out the sound of her voice and raised his arms into the air at his sides, his fingers splayed out as he extended his senses to scan the area. His power eased out, like extensions of his fingertips, stretching into the corners of the room, seeking, searching for the source of the magic he sensed.
It was here. Somewhere.
He had sensed it earlier on his arrival, but being that his aunt and siblings practiced magic on a regular basis he'd never given it a second thought.
This room, however, stank with it. He smelled the odor, something strangely like sulfur...
"A spell has been cast in this room," he muttered. A strange spell. Odd. A spell he'd never sensed before, something new. It felt off in some way he couldn't explain. Who would be working new magic of this kind in his home? And, in this room in particular. Aunt Petunia worked her spells in the privacy of her rooms upstairs, or sometimes in the gardens, but never in this room. And his siblings each practiced in their own private settings, places where they could concentrate without the threat of being disturbed.
He took a step closer to the center of the room where he sensed a surge of power. He shivered as coldness seeped into his skin. It wrapped around his arm, sinking into his flesh, right down to the bone.
The magic in his house was always full of warmth and gentleness. Goodness and love. This magic chilled him to the bone. His heart skipped a beat. There was fear, terror, pain.
This spell was full of darkness.
The Witch's Thief is a fast-paced story of love, betrayal and passion within a family of witches. Ms. Schneider has done an excellent job with creating indomitable characters facing life-threatening conflict.
Amazon Reviewer, about The Witch's Thief
I Loved it! I've read all this author's books and this one could stand alone but I have enjoyed reading the whole series and love how characters from previous books are all a part of the bigger story and I can't wait for the next book!
The Witch's Thief was another great book in the 'The Merriweather Witches' series. This quick read is well written and plays out well. I never really know how things are going to unfold. The storyline continues with more dire circumstances involving the Merriweather family. The characters are quite the combination of personalities. Each has their strenghths and weaknesses. Basil could be described as selfish and cold, but I understood his side of reasoning. Julia is another one with personal reasons as to why she does the questionable. I look forward to the next book that may bring the whole clan together. Quite the paranormal combination- witches, a vampire and a werewolf, and possibly more. A good add to your tbr list.
I liked the concept of this book and the execution of it as well. The plot is well planned and the characterization is good. My personal favourite is Julia, she is strong and can make her own decisions without trailing after a guy all the time.
After reading Kelley Armstrong's books I developed a knack for necromancer and I had quite a high expectation from this book as well, so let me tell you guys that this book didn't disappoint me at all. It's well written and the writing style is superb as well. The characters are fully flourished and it was a treat to become a part of their world.
The witty and crisp dialogues impressed me a lot and the mystery that the author introduced here is breath-taking. I liked the well kept suspense that kept me hooked into the story. There is action and adventures, passionate love, deadly secrets, test of loyalty and trust, grave dangers lurking at every nook and corner.
So if you want to enjoy a thrilling ride with this book then jump right in and be a part of this awesome world that the author created. Enjoy!!!
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2013-2020 © Tricia Schneider


Royal Marine Commandos are some of the most courageous people on the planet. When you're dragging yourself through dark tunnels and fighting through freezing water - not to mention the distance - you'll get a real taste of the challenges that Commandos have to overcome. If you want to succeed, you might need our training tips for the 10K Commando Challenge.
Our 10K Courage course is the closest in distance to the 9K Royal Marines Endurance Course, the first of The Commando Tests that challenge future Commandos. It should go without saying that training for this distance is essential, and jogging every other weekend isn't going to cut it.
You should be comfortable running at least 12K before taking on the Challenge, assuming you don't usually spend energy crawling through tunnels on your normal running route. 12 kilometres (or about 7.5 miles) is further than a quarter marathon, so don't expect it to be easy.
You can try training hard a few times per week, but what you really need to do is train well- and that includes appropriate rest. For the 10K course, you should start training at least 12 weeks before the Challenge if you're not used to running, or around 8 weeks before if you're more experienced.
Training for the 10k won't be easy, so you'll need some good self-discipline to make sure you get enough preparation. Training with your team is a great way to make sure that you're all putting enough effort in, and will act as some great motivation if you're struggling to follow your plan.
Our Commando Workout will be a good starting point for your training, but you'll probably need to adjust it to ramp up the difficulty as your fitness improves. However, those rest days are still important! We recommend that you increase your running distance by approximately 10% every week, even if your pace slows down a bit. Aside from running, some weighted exercises will be great for improving your speed and strength through the obstacles.
When you get to the later stages of your training, you might want to implement some different training techniques to get the edge on the competition. Our overload circuits are a great way to mix things up, and you can increase the intensity of these for even more of a challenge. You could even try supersets of cardio and bodyweight exercises, to prepare for running and completing challenging obstacles back-to-back.
All three of these steps are crucial, especially when you're running longer distances. Firstly, these activities are important for both preventing serious injury and reducing general wear and tear over time. Secondly, these can improve your recovery, and even help to reduce any soreness you might feel the next day. Finally, stretching improves your flexibility, which itself reduces the risk of injury, and could also come in handy when you're navigating tight tunnels on the course.
If you're used to sleeping 6 hours per night, that might not be enough to get the most out of your training. Aim for 8 hours, or even 9 if you've had a particularly taxing training session. You'll have the added bonus of feeling fresher the next day, which could make the difference between setting a new personal best and giving up after a few kilometres.
Diet is just as important for recovery, especially when you're training for longer distances. As well as a good balance of nutrients (yes, that means fruit and vegetables), aim to consume around 0.5 grams of protein for every pound of your bodyweight, which is approximately 1 gram per kilogram.
Your worn-out, all-purpose trainers aren't the right choice if you want to optimise your running performance… although you might not want to wear them on the course if you hope to use them afterwards. Generally, some light and comfortable running shoes are what you should aim for, and finding the right fit is essential.
Hopefully these training tips for the 10K Commando Challenge will help you to get the most out of the hard work you put in. Stay tuned for advice from our experts as we move closer to the big event. Until then, train like a real Commando.
This entry was posted in Training guides and preparation and tagged 17K, Obstacle course, obstacle run, Royal Marines Commando Challenge, training by Sarah Burden. Bookmark this permalink.


This quick clip gives us a small but notable sample of the many new automobiles being shown off at this year's Tokyo Auto Show.
Although the 2009 Tokyo Auto Show just kicked open its doors for the public this last weekend, industry insiders got a head start on sampling the bevy of automobiles that are debuting. One of these lucky insiders included Alistair Weaver of Inside Line fame, courtesy of Edumunds.com. Here, Alistair gives us all a teaser on the many new vehicles presented at the Tokyo Motor Show, and this is merely the tip of the iceberg.
In this video clip, Inside Line cherry shows a few more cars worthy of Web airtime. While the show seems to be short on American and European brands, there are plenty of interesting production models and concept cars to check out. Edmunds.com makes room for a couple of the forward-thinking "E-cars" that will undoubtedly be only available in limited quantities, as well as hybrid cars from Honda, Mitsubishi, and the Subaru that has doors straight out of "Back to the Future." And if you think it's all hippy-dippy cars on parade, wait till you check out the badass Lexus at the end of the clip.


text:
Works: With an Essay on His Life and Genius, Band 12
von Samuel Johnson
They were now grown confident and familiar, and came down to the camp every day repeating their ceremonies and sacrifices, till they were more fully informed how disagreeable they were to those whose favour they were so studious of obtaining : they then visited them without adoration indeed, but with a curiosity so ardent, that it left them no leisure to provide the necessaries of life, with which the English were therefore obliged to supply them.
They had then sufficient opportunity to remark the customs and dispositions of these new allies, whom they found tractable and benevolent, strong of body, far beyond the English, yet unfurnished with weapons, either for assault or defence, their bows being too weak for any thing but sport. Their dexterity in taking fish was such, that, if they saw them so near the shore that they could come to them without swimming, they never missed them.
The same curiosity that had brought them in such crowds to the shore, now induced Drake, and some of his company, to travel up into the country, which they found, at some distance from the coast, very fruitful, filled with large deer, and abounding with a peculiar kind of conys, smaller than ours, with tails like that of a rat, and
paws such as those of a mole; they have bags under their chin, in which they carry provisions to their young
The houses of the inhabitants are round holes dug in the ground, from the brink of which they raise rafters, or piles shelving towards the middle, where they all meet, and are cramped together ;
they lie upon rushes, with the fire in the midst, and let the smoke fly out at the door.
The men are generally naked; but the women make a kind of petticoat of bulrushes, which they comb like hemp, and throw the skin of a deer over their shoulders. They are very modest, tractable, and obedient to their husbands.
Such is the condition of this people ; and not very different, is perhaps, the state of the greatest part of mankind. Whether more enlightened nations ought to look upon them with pity, as less happy than themselves, some scepticks have made, very unnecessarily, a difficulty of determining. More, they say, is lost by the perplexities than gained by the instruction of science; we enlarge our vices with our knowledge, and multiply our wants with our attainments, and the happiness of life is better secured by ignorance of vice than by the knowledge of virtue.
The fallacy, by which such reasoners have imposed upon themselves, seems to arise from the comparison which they make, not between two men equally inclined to apply the means of happiness in their power to the end for which Providence conferred them, but furnished in unequal proportions with the means of happiness, which is the true state of savage and polished nations, but between two men, of which he to whom Providence has been most bountiful destroys the blessings by negligence, or obstinate misuse; while the other, steady, diligent, and virtuous, employs his abilities and conveniencies to their proper end. The question is not whether a good Indian or bad Englishman be most happy; but which state is most desirable, supposing virtue and reason the same in both.
Nor is this the only mistake which is generally admitted in this controversy, for these reasoners frequently confound innocence with the mere incapacity of guilt. He that never saw, or heard, or thought of strong liquors, cannot be proposed as a pattern of sobriety.
This land was named, by Drake, Albion, from its white cliffs, in which it bore some resemblance to his native country; and the whole history of the resignation of it to the English was engraven on a piece of brass, then nailed on a post, and fixed
before their departure, which being now discovered by the people to be near at hand, they could not forbear perpetual lamentations. When the English on the 23rd of July weighed anchor, they saw them climbing to the tops of hills, that they might keep them in sight, and observed fires lighted up in many parts of the country, on which, as they supposed, sacrifices were offered.
Near this harbour they touched at some islands where they found great numbers of seals; and, despairing now to find any passage through the northern parts, he, after a general consultation, determined to steer away to the Moluccas, and setting sail July 25th, he sailed for sixty-eight days without sight of land ; and on Sept. 30th arrived within view of some islands, situate about eight degrees northward from theline, from whence the inhabitants resorted to them in canoes, hollowed out of the solid trunk of a tree, and raised at both ends so high above the water, that they seemed almost a semicircle; they were burnished in such a manner, that they shone like ebony, and were kept steady by a piece of timber, fixed on each side of them, with strong canes, that were fastened at one end to the boat, and at the other to the end of the timber.
The first company that came brought fruits, potatoes, and other things of no great value, with an appearance of traffick, and exchanged their lading for other commodities, with great show of honesty and friendship; but having, as they imagined, laid all suspicion asleep, they soon sent another fleet of canoes, of which the crews behaved with all the insolence of tyrants, and all the rapacity of thieves; for, whatever was suffered to come into their hands, they seemed to consider as their own, and would neither pay for it nor restore it; and at length finding the English resolved to admit them no longer, they discharged a shower of stones from their boats, which insult Drake prudently and generously returned by ordering a piece of ordnance to be fired without hurting them, at which they were so terrified, that they leaped into the water, and hid themselves under the canoes.
Having for some time but little wind, they did not arrive at the Moluccas till the 3rd of November, and then designing to touch at Tidore, they were visited, as they sailed by a little island belonging to the king of Ternate, by the viceroy of the place, who informed them, that it would be more advantageous for them to have recourse to his master for supplies and assistance than to the king of Ternate, who was in some degree dependent on the Portuguese, and that he would himself carry the news of their arrival, and prepare their reception.
Drake was by the arguments of the viceroy prevailed upon to alter his resolution, and on Nov. 5 cast anchor before Ternate; and scarce was he arrived, before the viceroy, with others of the chief nobles, came out in three large boats, rowed by forty men on each side, to conduct the ship into a safe harbour; and soon after the king him. self, having received a velvet cloak by a messenger from Drake, as a token of peace, came with such a retinue and dignity of appearance as was not expected in those remote parts of the world. He was received with discharges of cannons and every kind of musick, with which he was so much delighted, that, desiring the musicians to come down into the boat, he was towed along in it at the stern of the ship.
The king was of a graceful stature, and regal carriage, of a mild aspect, and low voice ; his attendants were dressed in white cotton or calico, of whom some, whose age gave them a venerable appearance, seemed his counsellors, and the rest officers or nobles; his guards were not ignorant of fire-arms, but had not many among them, being equipped for the most part with bows and darts.
The king having spent some time in admiring the multitude of new objects that presented themselves, retired as soon as the ship was brought to anchor, and promised to return on the day following; and in the mean time the inhabitants, having leave to traffick, brought down provisions in great abundance.
At the time when the king was expected, his brother came aboard, to request of Drake that he would come to the castle, proposing to stay him


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Deutsche Volkspolizei (česky "Německá lidová policie"), běžně známá jako Volkspolizei nebo VoPo, byla národní policie Německé demokratické republiky od roku 1945 do roku 1990. Volkspolizei byla vysoce centralizovaná agentura odpovědná za většinu civilních vymáhání práva ve východním Německu. V době největšího rozmachu čítala na 257 500 příslušníků.

Vznik

Volkspolizei byla fakticky založena v červnu 1945, kdy sovětská vojenská správa v Německu (SVAG) zřídila ústřední policejní síly v oblastech nacistického Německa, které obsadila po druhé světové válce. SVAG schválila vyzbrojení policejních sil na úrovni komunity 31. října 1945, ale přesto zůstala nemilitarizovanou silou a v roce 1946 měla Volkspolizei asi 22 000 příslušníků. První policisté byli většinou bývalí důstojníci Wehrmachtu, kteří se stali komunisty, stejně jako bývalí němečtí členové mezinárodních brigád ve Španělské občanské válce. Volkspolizei byla organizována ve stejném stylu jako Milice v Sovětském svazu. V listopadu 1946 měla Volkspolizei více než 45 000 důstojníků. V této době SVAG schválila vytvoření pohraniční policie, složky Volkspolizei, aby se zabránilo masové emigraci do západního Německa. V prosinci vznikla další podřízená složka Transportpolizei (železniční policie). Policejní sbor se v této době potýkal s několika problémy - podíl nevyškolených příslušníků mezi 65 a 95 % podkopával jeho profesionalitu. Do roku 1948 se počet členů Volkspolizei zvýšil na přibližně 65 000, ale stále existovaly problémy s politickou nespolehlivostí a nedostatečnou odbornou způsobilostí, což v roce 1949 vyvolalo propouštění 10 000 členů. To způsobilo, že 86 % jeho příslušníků byli nyní členové vládnoucí Sjednocené socialistické strany Německa. Od května 1949, tři měsíce před založením NDR, byla formálně označována jako Deutsche Volkspolizei.

Podřízené organizace

 Oddělení kriminálního vyšetřování (Hauptabteilung Kriminalpolizei)
 Oddělení železniční policie (Hauptabteilung Transportpolizei)
 Registrační oddělení (Hauptabteilung Pass- und Meldewesen)
 Oddělení dopravní policie (Hauptabteilung Verkehrspolizei)
 Uniformované policejní oddělení (Hauptabteilung Schutzpolizei)
 Hasičský sbor (Hauptabteilung Feuerwehr)

Činnost
Pokud jde o obecné policejní povinnosti, Volkspolizei se zabývala trestnou činností v konvenčním pojetí, jako jsou krádeže, vraždy atd., ale plnila také úkoly, jako je ochrana hranic, kontrola totožnosti, kontrola dopravy a ochrana citlivých budov a oblastí, z nichž každá byla prováděna specializovanými útvary. Kritickou součástí Volkspolizei byla "místní policie", zavedená od roku 1952, kdy každý občan NDR měl svého "sekčního komisaře". Po povstání v roce 1953 ve východním Německu se počet poboček Volkspolizei téměř zdvojnásobil. Účelem Volkspolizei bylo navázat a pěstovat "úzké spojení" s obyvatelstvem své části, aby plnila konvenční policejní povinnosti a zároveň umožnila komunistické straně proniknout do společnosti při budování socialismu prostřednictvím státní moci.

Policejní funkce byly také rozšířeny mimo oficiální, placené síly prostřednictvím organizací, jako jsou bojové skupiny dělnické třídy (Kampfgruppen der Arbeiterklasse, KdA), obdoba československých Lidových milicí, organizované jednotky v továrnách a pracovištích v počtu kolem 400 000.

Efektivita Volkspolizei byla zpochybněna po povstání v roce 1953. Policejní stanice a soudní budovy byly napadeny a během nepokojů byly stanice Volkspolizei účinně paralyzovány, přičemž někteří členové se dokonce připojili k demonstrantům. Ústřední stranická zpráva z 18. června 1953 dospěla k závěru, že: "Je třeba zastavit všeobecný jev 17. června, že lidé pouze pozorovali, stáhli se nebo se nechali ignorovat nebo odzbrojit." Toto selhání příslušníků Volkspolizei zapojit se do konfrontace byl další vážný problém strany.

V reakci na selhání policejní reakce byla zavedena větší koordinace mezi Stasi, Volkspolizei a armádou. Všechny tři organizace spolupracovaly pod místním, regionálním a ústředním vedením strany, pod celkovou kontrolou Rady národní obrany. Za eskalaci červnového povstání byla částečně zodpovědná neschopnost různých agentur spolupracovat. V reakci na to byla zavedena efektivnější koordinace, která měla zajistit rychlé potlačení potenciálních nepokojů a v krizových okamžicích, jako byl srpen 1968 v Českoslovesnku. Efektivita těchto sil a úzká spolupráce mezi státními a stranickými orgány byla klíčovým faktorem pro udržení vnějšího zdání stability v letech 1953 až 1989.

Přísaha
Každý příslušník Volkspolizei musel složit následující přísahu.

Členství
Nábor do Volkspolizei vyžadoval nejméně deset let vzdělání, odborný výcvik, vojenskou službu a pozitivní kádrový posudek. Po nástupu rekrut absolvoval pětiměsíční kurz na Policejní akademii (VP-Schule). Rozvrh obsahoval politickou výchovu, policejní právo, trestní právo, dále pak i procedury a kondiční cvičení ve vojenském stylu. Poté rekrut absolvoval šestiměsíční praktickou stáž. Od roku 1962 měla Volkspolizei vlastní školu v Berlíně-Biesdorfu, která do roku 1989 vyškolila kolem 3500 důstojníků. Existovalo několik dalších škol. Kasernierten Einheiten (kasárenské jednotky) měly vlastní výcviková zařízení. Důstojníci byli zpočátku cvičeni v armádních pozemních silách, od roku 1963 v důstojnické škole a od roku 1971 v důstojnické škole v Dresden-Wilder Mann.

Volkspolizei měla přibližně 80 000 policistů na plný úvazek a 177 500 dobrovolníků.

Spolu se zánikem NDR a sjednocením se Spolkovou republikou dne 3. října 1990 přešla moc nad policií na nově vytvořenou federální jurisdikci. Volkspolizei tak oficiálně zanikla sloučením v jeden celek s do té doby západoněmeckou Bundespolizei (Spolkovou policií), přičemž službu muselo opustit asi 40 % policistů Volkspolizei.

Reference

Externí odkazy

Německé policejní organizace
Německá demokratická republika

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