text:
package remoteio.core.transform;

import remoteio.core.MappingHelper;
import remoteio.core.mapping.MappingConstants;
import org.objectweb.asm.ClassReader;
import org.objectweb.asm.ClassWriter;
import org.objectweb.asm.Label;
import org.objectweb.asm.Opcodes;
import org.objectweb.asm.tree.*;

/**
 * @author dmillerw
 */
public class TransformTessellator implements ITransformer {

    private static final String METHOD_HANDLER = "remoteio/client/render/TessellatorCapture";

    @Override
    public String[] getClasses() {
        return new String[] {"net.minecraft.client.renderer.Tessellator"};
    }

    @Override
    public byte[] transform(String name, byte[] basicClass) {
        ClassReader classReader = new ClassReader(basicClass);
        ClassNode classNode = new ClassNode();
        classReader.accept(classNode, 0);

        MethodNode getVertexStateNode = null;
        MethodNode addVertexNode = null;
        MethodNode setNormalNode = null;

        final String tessellator = MappingConstants.Type.get(MappingConstants.Type.TESSELLATOR);
        final String vertexState = MappingConstants.Type.get(MappingConstants.Type.TESSELLATOR_VERTEX_STATE);

        for (MethodNode methodNode : classNode.methods) {
            if (MappingConstants.Method.equals(methodNode, MappingConstants.Method.GET_VERTEX_STATE, MappingConstants.Method.Desc.GET_VERTEX_STATE)) {
                getVertexStateNode = methodNode;
                MappingHelper.logger.info("Found method 'getVertexState'");
            } else if (MappingConstants.Method.equals(methodNode, MappingConstants.Method.ADD_VERTEX, MappingConstants.Method.Desc.ADD_VERTEX)) {
                addVertexNode = methodNode;
                MappingHelper.logger.info("Found method 'addVertex'");
            } else if (MappingConstants.Method.equals(methodNode, MappingConstants.Method.SET_NORMAL, MappingConstants.Method.Desc.SET_NORMAL)) {
                setNormalNode = methodNode;
                MappingHelper.logger.info("Found method 'setNormal'");
            }
        }

        if (getVertexStateNode != null) {
            InsnList insnList = new InsnList();

            insnList.add(new VarInsnNode(Opcodes.ALOAD, 0)); // Add this (tessellator instance) to stack
            insnList.add(getFieldNode(tessellator, MappingConstants.Field.RAW_BUFFER_INDEX, "I")); // add rawBufferIndex variable
            insnList.add(new InsnNode(Opcodes.ICONST_1)); // add number 1 to stack
            LabelNode l1 = new LabelNode(new Label());
            insnList.add(new JumpInsnNode(Opcodes.IF_ICMPGE, l1)); // if rawBufferIndex is less than or equal to 1
            insnList.add(new TypeInsnNode(Opcodes.NEW, vertexState)); // create new vertex state object
            insnList.add(new InsnNode(Opcodes.DUP)); // duplicate top object on stack
            insnList.add(new InsnNode(Opcodes.ICONST_0)); // add number 0 to stack
            insnList.add(new IntInsnNode(Opcodes.NEWARRAY, Opcodes.T_INT)); // create new array of type int with size 0

            // Add important variables to stack
            insnList.add(new VarInsnNode(Opcodes.ALOAD, 0)); // this
            insnList.add(getFieldNode(tessellator, MappingConstants.Field.RAW_BUFFER_INDEX, "I"));
            insnList.add(new VarInsnNode(Opcodes.ALOAD, 0)); // this
            insnList.add(getFieldNode(tessellator, MappingConstants.Field.VERTEX_COUNT, "I"));
            insnList.add(new VarInsnNode(Opcodes.ALOAD, 0)); // this
            insnList.add(getFieldNode(tessellator, MappingConstants.Field.HAS_TEXTURE, "Z"));
            insnList.add(new VarInsnNode(Opcodes.ALOAD, 0)); // this
            insnList.add(getFieldNode(tessellator, MappingConstants.Field.HAS_BRIGHTNESS, "Z"));
            insnList.add(new VarInsnNode(Opcodes.ALOAD, 0)); // this
            insnList.add(getFieldNode(tessellator, MappingConstants.Field.HAS_NORMALS, "Z"));
            insnList.add(new VarInsnNode(Opcodes.ALOAD, 0)); // this
            insnList.add(getFieldNode(tessellator, MappingConstants.Field.HAS_COLOR, "Z"));

            // Call init method on TesselatorVertexState object
            insnList.add(new MethodInsnNode(Opcodes.INVOKESPECIAL, vertexState, "<init>", "([IIIZZZZ)V", false));

            insnList.add(new InsnNode(Opcodes.ARETURN)); // return
            insnList.add(l1); // jump back
            insnList.add(new FrameNode(Opcodes.F_SAME, 0, null, 0, null)); // clear frame (?)

            getVertexStateNode.instructions.insertBefore(getVertexStateNode.instructions.get(0), insnList);
        }

        if (addVertexNode != null) {
            InsnList insnList = new InsnList();

            // Load the three parameters
            insnList.add(new VarInsnNode(Opcodes.DLOAD, 1));
            insnList.add(new VarInsnNode(Opcodes.DLOAD, 3));
            insnList.add(new VarInsnNode(Opcodes.DLOAD, 5));

            // Invoke rotation method
            insnList.add(new MethodInsnNode(Opcodes.INVOKESTATIC, METHOD_HANDLER, "rotatePointWithOffset", "(DDD)[D", false));

            insnList.add(new VarInsnNode(Opcodes.ASTORE, 6)); // Store returned array

            insnList.add(new VarInsnNode(Opcodes.ALOAD, 6)); // Add array to stack
            insnList.add(new InsnNode(Opcodes.ICONST_0)); // Load 0 on to stack
            insnList.add(new InsnNode(Opcodes.DALOAD)); // Load array index
            insnList.add(new VarInsnNode(Opcodes.DSTORE, 1)); // Save value to param 1

            insnList.add(new VarInsnNode(Opcodes.ALOAD, 6)); // Add array to stack
            insnList.add(new InsnNode(Opcodes.ICONST_1)); // Load 1 on to stack
            insnList.add(new InsnNode(Opcodes.DALOAD)); // Load array index
            insnList.add(new VarInsnNode(Opcodes.DSTORE, 3)); // Save value to param 3

            insnList.add(new VarInsnNode(Opcodes.ALOAD, 6)); // Add array to stack
            insnList.add(new InsnNode(Opcodes.ICONST_2)); // Load 2 on to stack
            insnList.add(new InsnNode(Opcodes.DALOAD)); // Load array index
            insnList.add(new VarInsnNode(Opcodes.DSTORE, 5)); // Save value to param 5

            addVertexNode.instructions.insertBefore(addVertexNode.instructions.get(0), insnList);
        }

        if (setNormalNode != null) {
            InsnList insnList = new InsnList();

            // Load and convert the parameters
            insnList.add(new VarInsnNode(Opcodes.FLOAD, 1));
            insnList.add(new InsnNode(Opcodes.F2D));
            insnList.add(new VarInsnNode(Opcodes.FLOAD, 2));
            insnList.add(new InsnNode(Opcodes.F2D));
            insnList.add(new VarInsnNode(Opcodes.FLOAD, 3));
            insnList.add(new InsnNode(Opcodes.F2D));

            // Invoke rotation method
            insnList.add(new MethodInsnNode(Opcodes.INVOKESTATIC, METHOD_HANDLER, "rotatePoint", "(DDD)[D", false));

            insnList.add(new VarInsnNode(Opcodes.ASTORE, 3)); // Store the result

            insnList.add(new VarInsnNode(Opcodes.ALOAD, 3)); // Add array to stack
            insnList.add(new InsnNode(Opcodes.ICONST_0)); // Load 0 on to stack
            insnList.add(new InsnNode(Opcodes.DALOAD)); // Load array index
            insnList.add(new InsnNode(Opcodes.D2F)); // Cast
            insnList.add(new VarInsnNode(Opcodes.FSTORE, 1)); // Save value to param 1

            insnList.add(new VarInsnNode(Opcodes.ALOAD, 3)); // Add array to stack
            insnList.add(new InsnNode(Opcodes.ICONST_1)); // Load 1 on to stack
            insnList.add(new InsnNode(Opcodes.DALOAD)); // Load array index
            insnList.add(new InsnNode(Opcodes.D2F)); // Cast
            insnList.add(new VarInsnNode(Opcodes.FSTORE, 2)); // Save value to param 2

            insnList.add(new VarInsnNode(Opcodes.ALOAD, 3)); // Add array to stack
            insnList.add(new InsnNode(Opcodes.ICONST_2)); // Load 2 on to stack
            insnList.add(new InsnNode(Opcodes.DALOAD)); // Load array index
            insnList.add(new InsnNode(Opcodes.D2F)); // Cast
            insnList.add(new VarInsnNode(Opcodes.FSTORE, 3)); // Save value to param 3

            setNormalNode.instructions.insertBefore(setNormalNode.instructions.get(0), insnList);
        }

        if (getVertexStateNode != null && addVertexNode != null && setNormalNode != null) {
            MappingHelper.logger.warn("Successfully transformed Tessellator.class!");
            ClassWriter classWriter = new ClassWriter(0);
            classNode.accept(classWriter);
            return classWriter.toByteArray();
        } else {
            MappingHelper.logger.warn("Failed to transform Tessellator.class!");
            return basicClass;
        }
    }

    private FieldInsnNode getFieldNode(String owner, String[] name, String desc) {
        if (MappingHelper.obfuscated) {
            return new FieldInsnNode(Opcodes.GETFIELD, owner, name[2], desc);
        } else {
            return new FieldInsnNode(Opcodes.GETFIELD, owner, name[0], desc);
        }
    }
}


text:
Part II: Registration of political parties
Section 28 to 33
Section 28 to 33 : Registration
82.Sections 28 to 33 re-enact, with modifications, sections 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6(1) to (4) of the Registration of Political Parties Act 1998. Together with Parts I and II of Schedule 4, they set out the procedure for applying for the registration of parties and of their emblems and for making changes to the register. Section 28 deals with the registration of parties. An application for registration will need to include a declaration which identifies that the party is seeking registration:
in both the Great Britain register and Northern Ireland register;
in the Great Britain register only;
in the Northern Ireland register only; or
in the Great Britain register only as a minor party.
A declaration within paragraphs (a), (b) or (d) must specify the part or parts of Great Britain in respect of which the party is seeking to be registered.
83.Subsection (4) of section 28 sets out the grounds on which the Commission may refuse an application for registration. The first such ground (section 28(4)(a)) is that the applicant party's proposed registered name is, in the opinion of the Commission, either the same as that of a party which is already registered in the relevant register or likely to result in electors confusing that party with a party which is already registered in respect of the relevant part of the United Kingdom. If, for example, the Progressive Party was already registered in the Great Britain register but with its registration confined to England, the Commission would be obliged to refuse an application from another party seeking to be registered under the same name in any part of the Great Britain register, but could accept an application from a party applying to register in respect of Scotland alone as the 'Scottish Progressive Party'.
84.Section 28(4)(f) provides for an application to be refused if the applicant party proposes a name which includes any word or expression prohibited by an order made by the Secretary of State (see the Registration of Political Parties (Prohibited Words and Expressions) Order 2001 (SI 2001/82)).
85.Sections 32(5) and 34(6), paragraph 1(2) and 8(2) of Schedule 4 and paragraph 11(2)(b) of Schedule 23 provide for the payment of fees in respect of an application for registration, an application to have a party's registered entry altered or an annual confirmation by a party of its registered particulars. The level of fees is prescribed by the Registration of Political Parties (Fees) Order 2001 (SI 2001/83).
86.A party's entry in the Great Britain or Northern Ireland register will now contain the following information:
the registered name of the party;
the address of the party's headquarters;
the name of the party's registered leader, registered nominating officer registered treasurer and, if applicable, registered campaigns officer. If one person holds all three (or, as the case may be, four) offices, the party must name the holder of some other specified office in the party.
where a party is a party with accounting units, the name and headquarters address of each accounting unit and the name of the treasurer and one other officer of each such unit;
v)
the registered emblems of the party;
vi)
the name and office address of up to twelve deputy treasurers (or deputy campaigns officers) (see section 74);
vii)
the date of registration;
viii)
any other information prescribed by the Electoral Commission in accordance with paragraph 6 of Schedule 4.
In the case of the Great Britain register the register will also show whether the party is a minor party and the part or parts of Great Britain in respect of which the party is registered.
87.Section 31 requires the registered treasurer to notify the Commission of changes to the name or address of any of the party's registered officers, the address of the party's headquarters, the name of either of the registered officers of any accounting unit and the name and address of any accounting unit. Any change in the registered officers of the party must be notified within 14 days of the termination of the appointment (by death or otherwise) of the incumbent. All other changes must be notified to the Commission within 28 days of the change occurring. A party may apply for the other registered particulars of the party to be altered in accordance with the provisions of section 30.
88.Section 32 requires the registered treasurer of a party to provide the Electoral Commission with an annual notification that the particulars of a party's entry in the register remain accurate and complete. The annual notification must also provide details of any changes to the party's constitution. This must be provided with the annual statement of accounts (see section 45).
89.It is possible, under the provisions of section 33, for a party to apply to be removed from the register. But removal is conditional upon the party declaring that it does not intend to have any candidates at any relevant election, as defined by section 22(5), and there is the additional safeguard that a party (other than a minor party) which is removed from the register in accordance with this section will nevertheless remain subject to the requirements of Parts III and IV of the Act in relation to its accounts and donations until the end of the financial year following the removal of the party's entry in the register.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
Celebrity Weigh In
Celebrity Weights, Heights & Measurments
Male Athletes
Female Atheletes
Joan Didion Weight
How Much Does Joan Didion Weigh?
Joan Didion weighs about 85 pounds.
How Tall is Joan Didion?
Joan Didion is 4'10" in height.
What is Joan Didion Bra Size?
Molly's bra size is approximately 32A.
About Joan Didion weight:
Joan Didion is the name of an American writer who has walked around the breakdown of American morals and cultural mayhem highlighting fragmentation at individual and social levels. The veteran has been outstanding with her novels and literary journalism. In her more than half a century long writing career, Joan has published a dozen of non-fictions, five fictions and a play. She has also contributed as a screenwriter of a number of movies.
Joan holds two honorary Doctor of Letters degrees from Harvard University and Yale University. Obama administration has honored her with the National Medal of Arts and Humanities. Among the other awards received by the wordsmith, a National Book Award for Nonfiction, Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters from the National Book Foundation and Evelyn F. Burkey Award from the Writers Guild of America are noteworthy.
Most of the writers appear to be careless about maintaining their health and Joan is no exception to them. The eighty-year-old lady is has remained skinny throughout her life, perhaps getting skinnier with the growing age. But she hasn't had major health issues till today. Very less is known about her diet, we only know that she can cook some delicious vegetable dishes which strongly indicates her inclination to vegetarian diet.
She has been a chain-smoker for decades and also an alcoholic. That might be considered as the key reason of her appearing older and feebler than many others of her age. Someone as skinny as Joan obviously don't require to do physical exercises. She hasn't most probably ever had a visit to a gym.
Photo Information: This photo is provided by and given credit to David Shankbone – on Flickr.com with permission via Creative Commons Licensing.
Harry Kissinger Weight
How Much Does Harry Kissinger Weigh?
Harry Kissinger weighs about 185 pounds.
How Tall is Harry Kissinger?
Harry Kissinger is 5'8" in height.
About Harry Kissinger weight:
Henry Alfred Kissinger, or in short Harry Kissinger, is a renowned American political scientist and envoy who has served the United States in a number of important positions including his role as National Security Advisor as well as Secretary of State in the administration of two different presidents. He has been an influential figure in the country's foreign policy including some critical issues like Vietnam War, India-Pakistan War in 1971 and Yom Kippur War in 1973.
The veteran was awarded Nobel Peace Prize back in 1973 for his contribution to the Paris Peace Accord. He received Presidential Medal of Freedom from the 38th President of the United States, Gerald Ford. He was honored by the title Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire and also awarded the President's Medal by Israel. The White House Years, the first volume of his memoirs, brought him a National Book Award.
One might not know that Harry Kissinger had served the US military forces during the World War II. He has been maintaining disciplined lifestyle throughout his life. He is one of those who are very specific about sleeping at the right time and waking up early in the morning. Harry is a vegetarian who never eats more than required. He eats his meals in appropriate proportions and in scheduled times of the day. Another good health quality of Harry is that he refrains from smoking as well as drinking alcohol.
In recent years, Harry has been suffering from multiple health issues. The 91-year-old diplomat had a heart surgery in summer 2014. Since then, he has been spending most of his time resting. Previously, he used to walk a few miles every morning to keep himself fit. The fact that he has crossed the milestone of ninety obviously proves that Harry has had the minimum sense of health awareness.
Debbie Harry Weight
How Much Does Debbie Harry Weigh?
Debbie Harry weighs about 130 pounds.
How Tall is Debbie Harry?
Debbie Harry is 5'5" in height.
What is Debbie Harry Bra Size?
Debbie's bra size is approximately 36B.
About Debbie Harry weight:
Deborah Ann Harry, or in short Debbie Harry, is a renowned American musical genius, actress and a sex symbol of the 70s and 80s. She is most prominent as the lead vocalist of the popular musical band Blonde. In her 47-year-long musical career, she has written and sang songs of a variety of genres including pop, rock, punk rock, new wave and disco.
The musical goddess occupied the 12th spot in the list of 100 Greatest Women of Rock & Roll and the 18th spot in the list of 100 Sexiest Artists, both shaped by VH1. Debbie has exhibited her acting skills in thirty odd movies and a number of television shows. She has also been an active philanthropist for years supporting in fight-backs against HIV/ AIDS, cancer and endometriosis.
Even at the age of 69, Debbie appears to be fit and gorgeous, the reason behind which is her strict diet and exercise routines. She tries to keep each of her days gluten-free with appropriate proportions of fresh fruits, eggs and cereals. Debbie also avoids dairy products as much as she can. She was once a drug addict, but later fought back and now she even doesn't try alcohol.
Debbie works out with a trainer in gym for three-four days every week. She does a variety of cardio stuff as prescribed by her trainer and also a bit of weight exercises. She prefers midmorning as the appropriate time for workout. Debbie loves swimming and she does a lot of it on days that she keeps away from gym. She also loves skating and does that quite often.
Zachary Quinto Weight
How Much Does Zachary Quinto Weigh?
Zachary Quinto weighs about 170 pounds.
How Tall is Zachary Quinto?
Zachary Quinto is 6'2" in height.
About Zachary Quinto weight:
Zachary John Quinto, or in short Zachary Quinto, is an American actor and movie producer with Italian as well as Irish descent. Starting his acting career in the year 2000, Zachary stole the limelight with his performance in the antagonist role in science fiction drama Heroes. J.J. Abrams' 2009 and 2013 Star Trek ventures presented him in the role of Spock.
The thirty seven year old celebrity has won a number of awards in his tiny fourteen year career. He's bagged Independent Spirit Award, Critics' Choice Television Award, Tina Award, Robert Altman Award, Boston Society of Film Critics Award, and a few more in a variety of groups. In October of 2011, Quinto openly proclaimed that he's gay but has been an advocate on gay rights since a long while.
A slim build shape like Zachary Quinto doesn't come without doing anything! The actor used to maintain a strict diet plan previously. But due to excessive weight loss, he went out of the strict diet arena and took up a weight gain program. He still strictly avoids junk food. He isn't reported to have smoked or drunk in public that we are aware of.
Zachary is a yoga freak! He does a variety of yoga routines to keep himself fit both physically and mentally. He considers yoga to be a great anxiety reliever. He is recounted to appear in yoga classes two times in a week but practices daily and for more than an hour each day. Zachary doesn't do any other workout and actually he doesn't need to! His fans love him in that impressive shape, so why should he take up some more ways of exercise? Do you agree?
© 2015 Celebrity Weigh In. All rights reserved Reproduction without explicit permission is prohibited.


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See Wiki overview and blog post for details.
DatasetProperties This class contains derivatives of properties defined in W3C DCAT work, and benefits from collaboration around the DCAT, ADMS and VoID vocabularies. See http://www.w3.org/wiki/WebSchemas/Datasets for full details and mappings.
DatasetClass This class is based upon W3C DCAT work, and benefits from collaboration around the DCAT, ADMS and VoID vocabularies. See http://www.w3.org/wiki/WebSchemas/Datasets for full details and mappings.


using the card how can i book the ticket kindly inform me.
Dog Joints may lose their mobility, and the dog will suffer from pain. To avoid such cases, it's necessary to feed your animal with the best joint supplement for dogs.
SBI gave session expired problem at the time of Tatkal booking.
Last edited by Book Rail Ticket; 27-11-2018, 11:42 AM.
That worked well for me. Thank you!
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It's 4 a.m. I'm standing in my PJs sipping hot tea at a Hampton Inn off Skyhawk Parkway in Martin, Tennessee. My two little girls can't sleep. I decide to take them down to the hotel pool while my husband finishes up his beauty rest. Did I mention this is graduation day? I'm a full-time working mom and wife, and today is my special day. I'm officially getting my MBA! It's been a long journey to get here, but after 22 months of late-night study sessions, I made it.
The decision to go back to school wasn't an easy one for me. Attaining a master's degree in business administration was something I had thought about since finishing my undergraduate program, but the timing just never seemed right. I attempted a program a couple of years removed from undergrad, but I was traveling for work quite a bit, which made going to class on a regular schedule impossible.
A few years ago, I began exploring the idea again. Online technology had made pursuing a college degree a lot easier, so I was no longer tied to sitting in a traditional classroom for several hours a night, and my options for grad school were no longer limited by my geographic location. I decided to look at options both in Tennessee and nationally. As a working mother of two, I needed a program that would allow me to do classwork and homework around my already busy schedule, and I wanted something that would allow me to achieve my goals without putting an additional burden on my husband and kids.
I knew I needed a program flexible enough that I wouldn't miss out on things with my girls, but I also needed structure to make sure, once I started, I was moving toward a degree as fast as possible. I found the perfect fit in the UT Martin Online MBA.
The online program gave me the flexibility to work on my MBA on my schedule. I could watch my class lectures during lunch or late at night. It was two classes a semester but only one class at a time, and while it was more intense, I didn't have to worry about two finals in a week. I could concentrate on one subject at a time. The program was small, with fewer than 20 people in my cohort, and while we never met in person, we got to know each other through online group projects, and I never felt like I was doing the program on an island.
Having the entire program mapped out for me before I began was another plus. I knew my schedule for the entire 21-month program before my first day of class, which allowed me to plan vacations around breaks. And even if we took a family vacation during a class, all I needed was my laptop, textbook and Wi-Fi, and I could stay on course no matter where I was.
I was apprehensive at first. I hadn't been to school in almost 20 years, and I wasn't a star student in undergrad. I wondered if I could really juggle a career, two kids, a husband and an MBA program. What I learned was that I was better at all of it because of it. I ended up graduating with honors. It taught me a lot about scheduling and being organized.
I always want to be a great role model for my girls. Having the opportunity to take them to Martin to see the campus and watch me walk across the stage was really special. And while my 3-year-old is too young to really remember it, my 8-year-old now tells everyone she's going for her master's degree. Mission accomplished.
Tiffany Utsman Carpenter (Knoxville '96, Martin '15) is assistant vice president for marketing for the University of Tennessee System.


text:
All posts by : He'sHero.com
FANDOM FLAMES #2: Back in time with nostalgic fandom
Weirdly, just before I started writing this column, all about nostalgic fandom, I discovered the 90s sitcom The Nanny (now streaming on Pluto TV and the Roku app), which I knew about from scrolls through Tumblr, but which I had never actually watched before. It's an entirely nostalgic experience, even if the show is as old as I am. It hearkens back to earlier days of the sitcom when multi-cam ruled the airwaves and single-cam was a rarity. The laugh track isn't a laugh track — there was an actual audience, and the characters are so much more than overblown stereotypes.
All this to say, nostalgia is very compelling right now…and a more nostalgic fandom has certainly emerged within the past year and a half. You get people longing for the days of Spirk (Spock/Kirk) mailing lists, you get fan artists and writers recreating zines, and you get the sea shanty phenomenon that's taking place right now. Sure, the sea shanty is popular everywhere, but I first saw it appearing on Tumblr, not TikTok.
There are also shows other than The Nanny which are experiencing a resurgence. The one that I'm thinking of in particular is M.A.S.H.; yes, the 70s/80s sitcom that takes place during the Korean War, but which is decidedly a statement on the Vietnam War. There was a whole to-do about it over last summer: appropriately titled "Hot M.A.S.H. Summer," it saw people writing fanfics, writing meta, creating fan art, and just generally losing their minds. Hawkeye/BJ is the most popular ship, but there's a lot of love for the show just in general.
People are also really into older movies, black and white films in particular. Gifs are very popular, partially for the aesthetic. But it also speaks to the popularity of cable channels like TCM, which many classic Hollywood aficionados watch on a regular basis.
Nostalgia can be a danger, but in the case of nostalgic fandom, it also allows for a renaissance of classic television and films and music. Shows that were underappreciated for years celebrate a new fandom, and older fans get to join in the fun too…that is, if the younger corners of fandom let them in, which is another column for another time.
I've written a lot about nostalgia in the past, longing for better times, especially in messy times. The truth is, there's no such thing as better times or better, older media — there's good media and bad media no matter the time they were made in. For every Nanny, there's a Schitt's Creek; for every M.A.S.H., there's a Cobra Kai. For every quality classic movie, there's a quality contemporary movie.
So, nostalgic fandom, keep a hold of your old media, whether physical or streaming, although I would recommend grabbing physical copies of anything. You never know when the nostalgia will be yanked from Netflix or Hulu and put onto…Peacock.
The post FANDOM FLAMES #2: Back in time with nostalgic fandom appeared first on The Beat.
Nostalgic fandom is here to stay, for the foreseeable future.
A Year of Free Comics: Have a taste of THE SWEETNESS OF SALT
In The Sweetness of Salt by shooshell (A.K.A. Michelle), which you can read on Tapas now, Leah is a young witch who is feeling lost in her life. In order to gain some perspective, she visits her Aunt Cecelia's seaside cottage (which she can only access by magically summoning a key).
Everything a witch needs!
Soon, Leah is relaxing at the beach and trying to gain some peace of mind when a mermaid surprises her. Leah panics and runs back to her Aunt's house, but the mermaid follows her, transforming into human form to bring back Leah's bucket (also, she's naked, so it's an especially flirty meet-cute). After introducing herself as Sha, the mermaid agrees to return to Leah's house for dinner at sundown.
Leah goes hunting for seafood in the ocean.
When Sha arrives for their date, Leah has a full meal prepared (and she even lets Sha borrow a dress – I guess the Children of the Sea aren't much for clothes). But can a witch and a mermaid find common ground? And is it possible that there may be consequences to a romance between the pair?
Sha in The Sweetness of Salt
The Sweetness of Salt boasts a very cute romance and some beautiful art, with the depictions of aquatic life and seafood each being especially well done.
Leah and Sha share a romantic meal in The Sweetness of Salt.
In addition to reading The Sweetness of Salt on Tapas, you can also catch up with the series on Webtoon, if you'd prefer.
Did someone say Fisherman's Stew?
And if you'd like to support the comic, you can do so through Michelle's Patreon and Ko-Fi pages. And you'll want to follow Michelle on Twitter and on Instagram to keep up with the latest updates to The Sweetness of Salt!
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The comic follows a Surf'n'Turf romance between a witch and a mermaid.
Dark Horse Comics has released details on new anti-harassment and discrimination policies the publisher has been developing. The information was released publicly via social media this afternoon.
The post, seen above, reads as follows:
For transparency, updates from Dark Horse Comics:
With the help of outside HR Consultant, McGeachy Consulting, Dark Horse leadership has been reflecting, discussing and implementing new and updated policies to ensure the safety, happiness, and well-being of all employees.
Here are the measures that we have instituted:
• An updated Code of Conduct policy that we are asking all employees, creators, and business partners to uphold
• A more in-depth anti-harassment and anti-discrimination policy, which includes a clear reporting policy, for employees across all departments and divisions
• A newly formed Employee Relations Committee that manages, guides, and directs any significant employee relations issues that arise at Dark Horse
• A newly formed HR Executive Committee focused on implementing HR strategy, planning, and policy
• Identification and introduction of new company values assembled into a Culture Document helping to define and inspire our workplace culture
Beginning this year, an annual series of harassment and discrimination prevention training sessions will be implemented for all our employees. Dark Horse will continue taking the necessary steps forward to prevent harassment and discrimination within the workplace. We can and will do better.
We are optimistic about the future as we continue to improve and update our company policies. It continues to be our goal to be a company in which every single person feels valued and where every person feels safe from harassment or discrimination of any kind. While there is more work to be done in the many months ahead, we remain deeply committed to positive change in the workplace.
The new policies and practices represent a first public step for Dark Horse following last year's surfacing (and resurfacing) of sexual assault and harassment allegations against former Dark Horse editor Scott Allie. Allie was first reported to have groped creator Joe Harris in 2015, at a time when he was editor-in-chief at Dark Horse. In September of that year Allie stepped down to become executive senior editor for the publisher, a month before the groping incident was first reported. Following the report Allie continued on at Dark Horse until 2017, when he departed the company. In the intervening years he continued to freelance edit books for Dark Horse, including Mike Mignola's Hellboy titles and Gerard Way's The Umbrella Academy. Following last year's assault allegations, Dark Horse finally severed all ties with Allie, though the fact that it took them that long to do so given Allie's (well-known) history proved troubling to many in the industry.
Still, one can see room for ambiguity and/or improvement in Dark Horse's new policies and how they're going to be enforced. The Beat has reached out to the publisher for clarification on several of the pieces of the policy, which we'll update this story with once we receive.
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The policy changes come in the wake of last year's severing of ties with former editor Scott Allie.
This spring, the World's Greatest Detective is teaming-up with the Mystery Incoporated gang (again!) in Batman & Scooby-Doo Mysteries by Ivan Cohen, Dario Brizuela, Sholly Fisch, and Randy Elliot. The DC Comics series will be DC Digital First, so you'll be able to purchase and read a digital copy of the comics a few weeks before you can purchase a physical version from your local comic shop.
Batman & Scooby-Doo Mysteries #1 cover by Dario Brizuela and Franco Riesco.
In Batman & Scooby-Doo Mysteries #1, "Glove Story" by Cohen and Brizuela, Batman discovers that his original purple gloves have gone missing. In the subsequent adventure, Batman is joined by Velma, Shaggy, and Scooby-Doo in a time-traveling adventure that has them visiting Bats' Year One! The comic will be available digitally first (on Saturday, March 27th, 2021). Then, you'll be able to pick up a physical copy from your LCS on Tuesday, April 13th, 2021.
And in Batman & Scooby-Doo Mysteries #2, "Going Bats" by Fisch and Elliot, Batman enlists Scooby-Doo's help to solve the mystery of who might be haunting the Batcave… And if it isn't a real ghost, how did the "phantom" under the mask know that Batman's true identity is Bruce Wayne? He would have gotten away with it, too, if it weren't for you meddling super villains! This story will be available digitally on Saturday, April 24th, 2021, arriving in print at your LCS on Tuesday, May 11th, 2021.
Batman & Scooby-Doo Mysteries has 24 digital chapters planned, which will be collected into 12 physical issues, and if you'd like to read the press release from DC, it's included below the article.
Will you be piling into the Mystery Machine to head down to your local comic shop to pick up an issue of Batman & Scooby-Doo Mysteries? Are you going to borrow an electronic tablet from Velma's girlfriend Hot Dog Water so that you can read the series when it's released digitally? Have you already procured your Scooby Snacks so you'll have something to munch on whilst you read? Let The Beat know in the comment section!
DC PROUDLY PRESENTS 'BATMAN & SCOOBY-DOO MYSTERIES'
An All-New All-Ages DC Comic Book Series Begins March 27!
'Batman & Scooby-Doo Mysteries' Expands DC's Digital First Library, Followed by Print Issues Debuting on April 13!
Writers Ivan Cohen and Sholly Fisch Team-Up with Artists Dario Brizuela and Randy Elliott to Deliver the Newest Batman & Scooby-Doo Content!
DC's all-ages comic book library expands with Batman & Scooby-Doo Mysteries, a new series of original team-up stories launching with digital chapters on Saturday, March 27! Batman & Scooby-Doo Mysteries teams the Dark Knight with Scooby-Doo and the sleuths of Mystery, Inc. (Shaggy, Velma, Daphne and Fred) for a series of 24 digital chapters—to be collected in 12 print issues available at your Local Comic Shop—fitting the Saturday-morning cartoon position in your family-friendly weekend entertainment.
In the kick-off story by Ivan Cohen and Dario Brizuela—an adventure when Batman discovers his original purple gloves have gone missing—Velma, Shaggy, and Scooby-Doo travel back in time to Batman's Year One era to solve the case! Will this time-traveling heist have a happy ending? Batman & Scooby-Doo Mysteries #1, "Glove Story," written by Ivan Cohen with art and cover by Dario Brizuela, begins with the first of two DC Digital First chapters on March 27 followed by a print issue collecting the same story on April 13.
And to continue the Scooby-Doo team-up tradition established in over a hundred chapters of Scooby-Doo Team-Up, in the second big Batman & Scooby-Doo Mysteries story writer Sholly Fisch and artist Randy Elliott have Scooby-Doo and Batman team up to solve the mystery of a ghost…who's haunting the Batcave! Even if the ghost turns out to be a fake, that still doesn't solve the real mystery: How did someone get into the Batcave to stage the phony phantom—and does that mean Batman's enemies have cracked the secret of his true identity?! Batman & Scooby-Doo Mysteries #2, "Going Bats," written by Sholly Fisch with art and cover by Randy Elliott, arrives in print on May 11 after digital chapters beginning on April 24.
For more information on Batman, Scooby-Doo, phony phantoms, or the World's Greatest Super Heroes, visit http://www.dccomics.com, and follow on social media at @DCComics and @thedcnation.
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The World's Greatest Detective is teaming-up with Mystery Inc.!
HBO Max serves up new episodes of LOONEY TUNES CARTOONS
The long-awaited Looney Tunes Cartoons featuring the classic Merrie Melodies characters arrived with the launch of the HBO Max streaming service last May. As executive producer Peter Browngardt said in previous interviews, fans can look forward to more than 1,000 minutes of completely new Looney Tunes material.
Aside from a "Bugs Bunny's 24-Carrot Holiday Special" released last month, no new episodes have been released since the premiere. They say good things come to those who wait and sure enough, next week new Looney Tunes Cartoons episodes arrive on HBO Max.
Moreover, even more fan-favorite Looney Tunes characters will be appearing such as Cecil Turtle and Rocky and Mugsy.
Check out the trailer and key art below and be sure to tune in January 21 when new Looney Tunes Cartoons arrive on HBO Max.
Get ready for more mayhem because the Looney Tunes are back at it again with their newest batch of laugh-out-loud episodes premiering on HBO Max Thursday, Jan. 21.
Taz stars in his first full-length Looney Tunes Cartoons short when he takes on Bugs Bunny in a Roman coliseum. If Bugs makes it out of the arena, there will be plenty of foes waiting to match wits with him including Elmer Fudd, a leprechaun and Cecil Turtle. Daffy and Porky continue their misadventures from skydiving to solving the mystery of Porky's missing pants! Fan-favorites Sylvester and Tweety along with Wile E. Coyote and Road Runner also come along for the ride in these ten all-new animated episodes. It's an all-new year with all-new Looney!
From Warner Bros. Animation, and starring the cherished Looney Tunes characters, Looney Tunes Cartoons echoes the high production value and process of the original Looney Tunes theatrical shorts with a cartoonist-driven approach to storytelling. Marquee Looney Tunes characters are featured in their classic pairings in simple, gag-driven and visually vibrant stories.
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Available January 21
Recap: THE STAND S1E5 – "Fear and Loathing in New Vegas"
Read the recap from last week's episode here before watching "Fear and Loathing in New Vegas."
The episode opens at a power substation, where a glammed up Julie Lawry (Katherine McNamara) is fetching "Flashdance" (Dayna Jurgens, Natalie Martinez). Lawry says she's there at the request of Lloyd Henreid (Nat Wolff). Apparently Dayna has been asking questions, which Lawry says is okay – depending on the question. Lawry wants to know why Dayna wants to know more about Flagg.
We can't stop here, it's Flagg country!
Lawry introduces Dayna to Henreid, who seems to have been living high on the hog (especially compared to when we last saw him). After flaunting his connection to Flagg, Henried asks Dayna where she's been for "months and months" before arriving in Vegas. Then, to the sound of Henry Belafonte and Peggy Lee singing Black Magic, the camera pulls back and reveals they've been in the Hoover Dam before an aerial shot that soars over the empty highways that lead to Las Vegas.
Elsewhere, Tom Cullen (M-O-O-N that spells Brad William Henke) is undertaking the initial intake procedures, and struggling with the questions. While the woman asking him the questions is ready to just "throw him in the slave cages," the men who brought Cullen in say that according to Flagg's rules, anyone who arrives voluntarily qualifies for citizenship. She sends him to "Gladiator Hall."
In the next scene, Henreid leads Dayna and Lawry down a hallway filled with debauchery in a hotel filled with debauchery, and declares "Welcome to Heaven" before we cut to the title card.
The hallway at The Inferno in New Vegas.
Back in Boulder, Stu Redman (James Marsden) calling for the late Teddy over the radio, as Harold Lauder (Owen Teague) and Nadine Cross (Amber Heard) move to cover the evidence that they murdered their fellow Boulder resident. Lauder has a helpful expositional flashback to Teddy's death as Cross shoves their bloodied clothes in a garbage bag, and while Lauder says they could abandon Boulder, Cross says that they can't – because of him (meaning, of course, Flagg).
Shortly later and elsewhere, Redman and Larry Underwood (Jovan Adepo) stand over Teddy's corpse and wonder whether or not he might have shot himself. While Underwood is skeptical, Redman says that he's surprised that after all they've been through, he's more surprised more people haven't killed themselves (which is grim, but hard to argue). Redman says that while it's tempting to believe it's all connected, he doesn't necessarily think that's the case. Shortly after, Redman tells Lauder, who gives a reasonably convincing performance in reaction to the news of Teddy's death, but from which he recovers a little quickly…
Elsewhere in Boulder, Nick Andros (Henry Zaga) is chewed out by Mother Abagail (Whoopi Goldberg), who notes that she had told them not to take action until they "received word from above," suggesting that sending the spies might be the catalyst for a conflict.
It's "Main Event Time"!
In Vegas, Henreid and Lawry are in bed, while Dayna contemplates a pair of scissors before joining them (although after Lawry mentions "Mr. Flagg," Henreid can't maintain an erection). Instead of sex, they head downstairs for some "shopping." The center of the resort hotel has been converted into a gladiator pit, and an announcer gives a play-by-play while soliciting bets.
As they circle the hedonistic revelry, Lawry points out Cullen in the gladiator ring. Mercifully, he seems to be on cleanup duty rather than the battle roster, but Lawry tells Dayna that she recalls meeting him and Nick on the road.
In advance of the main event, the announcer spotlights Henreid (and Lawry reaches over the clean some coke off his nose as they do so) before shouting out their benefactor, Randall Flagg (Alexander Skarsgård), in the penthouse. Flagg makes his first appearance on-screen in the episode, hovering above the ground. Then, a video image of Flagg addresses the crowd… but as it does so, the image seems to simultaneously focus his gaze upon Dayna.
Boulder Nights
Cross has dreams that mix visions of sleeping with Underwood with Flagg in the desert, the later of which tells her that he gave her purpose. Flagg tells Cross that when she was living alone in the state home, he was her only friend, suggesting that she should continue to remain indentured to him before he kisses her.
Lauder and Cross meet at the school and Lauder says that it wasn't necessary to murder him, that he could have been talked him out of turning them in. Cross sees the vulnerability in Lauder and exploits it by going down on him again.
Shortly after, Frannie Goldsmith (Odessa Young) arrives at the school and offers Lauder her condolences over Teddy's death. Caught off guard, Lauder is somewhat less convincing in his mourning this time, but he accepts an invitation to dine with Goldsmith and Redman the next day as Cross eavesdrops from the next hallway.
Goldsmith then visits Underwood, and tells him that while Lauder is at dinner with them, she wants Underwood to search his residence. Underwood agrees: something's off about him, and such a search seems reasonable.
Cross made lunch for Joe, but cant find him. Fortunately a neighbor points her toward Mother Abagail's house, where Joe is playing a piano and Mother Abagail tells him that they've been "talking" (making a distinctions between "talking" and "talking"). Mother Abagail tells Cross that it's good that she made the choice to help Joe, and Cross says that she didn't really have a choice. Mother Abagail disagrees, and says that we always have choice – until we don't.
Mile High Dinner Party
Lauder arrives for the dinner party with flowers and wine. Redman has Lauder help him find a corkscrew and Goldsmith calls Underwood over the radio. However, it's at that moment that Cross arrives at Underwood's house, insisting she talk to him now. She begins kissing him and he asks her why, but she won't explain.
Cross says she wants Underwood to fuck her, but Underwood says that that's not how she talks, and worries how their relationship might be affected if they end up deciding they don't have feelings for one another after sleeping together. Dejected, Cross leaves Underwood's house.
Soon, Underwood arrives at Lauder's home, but he's stymied by a locked door. Meanwhile, Lauder tells a (kind of uncomfortable) story about him, Goldsmith, and his sister Amy in childhood. But after insisting he was there, he then changes the story to "I wasn't there because I was never allowed." Things get more uncomfortable as Lauder starts recounting some of the bitterness he maintains toward his late family.
Lauder excuses himself to go splash some water on his face, but instead, he ends up snooping around Goldsmith's house while Underwood snoops around Lauder's, finding the creepy Tom Cruise cutout. Then, Lauder leaves early. Goldsmith radios Underwood, but as he knocks over a chess set as he's leaving. While he manages to more or less put it back together and flee the room, it seems as though Lauder notices one of the rearranged pieces…
Elsewhere, Mother Abagail prays for guidance, but she's greeted only by the vision of a wolf.
At The Inferno in New Vegas
Back in Vegas, Dayna has one of the guards single out Cullen. Dayna hands Cullen something before Henreid and Lawry find her and tell her that Flagg wants to see her. As she leaves, Cullen look at the note, which reads "RUN"… but Cullen can't read.
Flagg drinks dairy in New Vegas.
While Henreid and Lawry accompany Dayna up the elevator, she is the only one who gets off when it arrives at the penthouse on the forty-fourth floor. Flagg is watching over the Vegas skyline as he enjoys a glass of milk, the second time in the series we've seen him drinking dairy (although Dayna asks for a beer).
Flagg tells Dayna that he's been watching her almost since she left Boulder. Dayna confronts Flagg about the crucifixions and in return, Flagg asks her about Garvey, the rapist that she killed in last week's episode. Flagg claims that the people who come to him are looking from protection from the Garveys of the world, and says that Mother Abagail's "Kum-Bah-Yah" approach is insufficient, calling her a charlatan.
Flagg tells Dayna that he's going to send her home, but she notes that it sounds like there's a catch: he asks her who the third spy might be. He says that he knows who both the other spies are, and that one is "an old hag" who has been hiding to stagger their arrival. Dayna points out that it must be driving him insane not to be able to see the third spy… right before she stabs him in the neck with the scissors she stashed earlier in the episode.
Flagg collapses to the floor, seemingly dead, but as Dayna crouches over him he speaks to her, saying he learned the trick from his "old lover," Konstantin Stanislavski (1863 – 1938). Then, Flagg does a neat trick with his eyes and menaces Dayna some more, who breaks her beer bottle… and then stabs herself with it. Flagg sinks into the couch as "Suspicious Minds" by Elvis plays…
The Lauder Problem
Back in Boulder, Goldsmith and Redman are discussing Lauder, with Goldsmith insisting she has a bad feeling about him and Redman wondering if they are being too hard on him, offering a sympathetic read on Lauder's unrequited crush.
However, in truly creepy fashion, Lauder is actually watching the whole conversation – and the subsequent lovemaking – on a closed circuit video feed, presumably what's hidden behind the locked door Underwood couldn't enter. Lauder watches a recording of Underwood investigating Lauder's house earlier that night.
Elsewhere, Ray Brentner (Irene Bedard) arrives at Mother Abagail's house to find a note on the door saying that people should not come looking for her but that she will return if it is His will. Brentner's radio call searching for Abagail interrupts Goldsmith and Redman's lovemaking. "Don't Fear the Reaper" by Blue Oyster Cult begins to play as Lauder watches Redman and Goldsmith on the video screen grins a grin that is significantly less rehearsed (and more sinister) than his Cruise approximation.
New episodes of The Stand are available on CBS All Access on Thursdays.
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We were fleeing from the man in black across the desert when the drugs began to take hold…
Marvel celebrates Darkhawk's 30th anniversary with DARKHAWK: HEART OF THE HAWK special
Marvel Comics has announced Darkhawk: Heart of the Hawk, a new one-shot anthology that will commemorate the 30th anniversary of Darkhawk's first appearance in 1991. The special will feature a trio of stories by creators old and new to the character, including original Darkhawk creative team Danny Fingeroth and Mike Manley.
Fingeroth and Manley will present a story from Chris Powell's earliest days as Darkhawk, while writer Dan Abnett (who previously wrote the character as part of the War of Kings storyline in 2009) and artist Andrea Di Vito will tell a tale of the character's time out in space. The special will conclude with a story written by Kyle Higgins and illustrated by an unannounced artist that will set up Darkhawk's future within the Marvel Universe. No colorists or letterers were identified for any of the stories to be included in the one-shot.
Created by Manley and then-Editor-in-Chief of Marvel Tom DeFalco, Darkhawk first appeared in his own self-titled series in 1991. The series was a huge success amid the boom of the era, and ran for 50 issues before concluding in 1995. Since then the character has popped up here and there, playing a role in Marvel cosmic storylines including 2018's Infinity Countdown event series.
Darkhawk is a character who will always hold a special place in my heart alongside another Marvel character celebrating a 30th anniversary in 2021: Sleepwalker. Hopefully the publisher will honor that character as well this year. Check out covers for Darkhawk: Heart of the Hawk by Lee Inhyuk and Logan Lubera, as well as the full text of Marvel's announcement, below. Look for the one-shot to arrive in stores in April.
New York, NY— January 14, 2021 — One of Marvel's most popular 90s creations, Darkhawk will return in April in a special giant-sized celebration issue. Honoring the iconic hero's 30th anniversary, DARKHAWK: HEART OF THE HAWK will feature three spectacular tales from all-star creative teams including Darkhawk's creators: writer Danny Fingeroth and artist Mike Manley. This action-packed issue will celebrate Darkhawk's legacy, explore his defining eras, and set up the hero up for his bright Marvel Comics future.
When teenager Chris Powell discovered a mysterious amulet, he was transformed into the armored spacefaring hero known as Darkhawk. Now, Danny Fingeroth and Mike Manley reunite to revisit the beginning of Darkhawk's saga.
"It's an understatement to say that I'm thrilled to team up once again with the great Mike Manley to reveal an untold tale of Darkhawk's earliest days," Fingeroth said. "Hawkamaniacs are always asking me when we'll be returning to the character we established, and I'm glad to have the opportunity to once again tap into the Darkhawk magic with Mike. Hope everybody enjoys this new tale of the high-flying, amulet-wielding hero!"
Next up, writer Dan Abnett, known for penning Darkhawk's years as a cosmic adventurer during his "War of Kings" epic, returns to Marvel Comics with a thrilling story, featuring art by Andrea Di Vito (Annihilation).
"When I was asked to write a story celebrating Darkhawk's thirtieth (!) anniversary, I was happy to oblige – especially as it was chance to revisit the cosmic part of his career when I put him out among the stars with the likes of Nova and the Guardians," Abnett said. "And I enjoyed it more than I imagined – I had forgotten what a great, lonely, determined hero he was. I also love the fact that this special reflects the different ages of Darkhawk's thirty year odyssey, bringing back creators who created him and helped shape him through every stage of his adventures. He may be turning thirty, but it's been quite a ride and, for Darkhawk, the future is just beginning…"
Finally, Kyle Higgins (Rise of Ultraman) sets the stage for Darkhawk's future adventures.
"As someone slightly newer to Darkhawk — certainly compared to Danny, Mike and Dan — I'm incredibly honored and excited for the opportunity to build a story that both celebrates what Danny, Mike, Dan and so many other fantastic creators have built over the last thirty years… while also setting course for the future," Higgins said.
From street-level vigilante to cosmic defender, Darkhawk has proven to be one of Marvel's most unpredictable and resilient heroes. See what's next to come for this beloved character when DARKHAWK: HEART OF THE HAWK #1 hits stands in April. For more information, visit Marvel.com.
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The one-shot special will feature a trio of stories celebrating the character's history within the Marvel Universe.
Fresh off the announcement of a new Indiana Jones title from Bethesda, Lucasfilm Games announced that an open-world Star Wars game is in development at Ubisoft.
Image from Star Wars BATTLEFRONT 2 (2017)
An open-world game has been at the top of Star Wars fan wish lists since video game technology advanced enough to make them possible. Electronic Arts, the publisher that held the exclusive rights to develop Star Wars titles since 2013, tried and failed to make one of their own.
A prolific publisher of open-world titles, Ubisoft is a natural choice to develop one in a Star Wars setting. One of the biggest questions now is if the Star Wars game from Ubisoft will follow the well-tread "Ubisoft formula" or take a more original approach to the genre. The game is in development at Massive Entertainment, the studio behind The Division series and the long-gestating Avatar Project.
This news means that EA's exclusive rights to Star Wars are coming to an end. The massive game publisher has had a bumpy road with the license, which included a string of cancellations and the Star Wars Battlefront 2 microtransactions controversy. EA took steps to turn things around, but Disney seems happy to give developers outside of Electronic Arts access to the Lucasfilm IP. The move certainly opens up possibilities for the franchise now that any studio is a potential developer for the next Star Wars game.
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The publisher of ASSASSINS CREED and FAR CRY is developing a big-budget STAR WARS title.
Marvel's team of young heroes is getting a new creative team. The publisher announced today that writer Danny Lore and artist Luciano Vecchio will take over as the regular creative team on Champions beginning with April's issue #6. The series will continue the ongoing "Outlawed" status quo established last year by outgoing Champions writer Eve L. Ewing, with Lore and Vecchio (along with a colorist and letterer who have not been announced by Marvel) taking the team undercover within a corporation that supports "Kamala's Law."
Here's how the publisher describes the creative team's first story on Champions:
The Champions tried fighting fair. Now it's time to fight dirty. A sinister corporation is cheating the system to try to keep Kamala's Law on the books, so the Champions infiltrate the company to take it down from the inside. But the company's wildly popular self-help app is already turning public perception against teen super heroes. Can the Champions wage war on a trend? And how dirty will their hands get before it's over?
The Champions ongoing series has had a tough time schedule-wise. After the release of the Outlawed one-shot in March, the debut of the series by Ewing and artists Simone Di Meo and Federico Blee was delayed, along with the rest of Marvel's publishing slate, due to the pandemic and subsequent Diamond shutdown. Once Diamond reopened in late May and publishers began releasing books again, Champions was missing from Marvel's schedule for months before finally hitting stores in October as one of the last delayed titles to return.
Luckily the series has been worth the wait, with Ewing (and new artist Bob Quinn, who joined with the series' second issue following Di Meo's departure) spinning a compelling tale about young heroes just trying to do good in a world that says they can't or shouldn't. There was some question about whether Champions would be an ongoing or a miniseries, as Diamond had listed several issues as being "(of 5)" at one point, but that question can now be put to rest.
Following Ewing, Lore is the second writer of color to take on the Champions. The series will be their first Marvel work, with previous credits on books like Dynamite's James Bond series as well as Vault's Queen of Bad Dreams. Vecchio is no stranger to at least one of the Champs, having previously illustrated Ironheart's ongoing series, which was coincidentally written by Ewing.
Check out the cover art for Champions #6, the first issue on the title by Lore and Vecchio on the title, as well as the full text of Marvel's announcement for the series' new creative team, below. Look for the issue to arrive in stores and digitally in April.
New York, NY— January 13, 2021 — The Champions' latest ongoing series continues this April with an all-star new creative team and a killer new threat. Taking over from acclaimed creative team of Eve L. Ewing, Simon Di Meo and Bob Quinn, writer Danny Lore (Ironheart 2020) and artist Luciano Vecchio (Ironheart) will kick off a brand-new storyline starting in CHAMPIONS #6.
"I'm sad to say farewell to the Champs right now but so excited that some amazing creators are taking the helm," Ewing said. "Especially Luciano who I had the great joy of working with on Ironheart."
Launched last year, CHAMPIONS has ushered in a redefining era for some of Marvel's most popular heroes such as Ms. Marvel, Nova, and Miles Morales. Now, the Marvel Universe will need the Champions more than ever as an extraordinary new threat emerges that only the Champions can take down in the new "Killer App" story arc.
"I think it's very easy today for young people to feel either helpless or overwhelmed with the weight of the world and its ills on their shoulders. With rhetoric constantly showing up about how the youth will save the world, but not necessarily with the support system to assist, it's important that Champions exists as a story in which they DO have the power," Lore explained. "Where even if the teens only have each other, they can change the world, the rest of us grown folk be damned."
Luciano Vecchio, known for his work on books like Ironheart and the upcoming King in Black: Wiccan and Hulkling, continues to bring Marvel's young heroes to life with his vibrant and eye-catching style.
"Personally this is the perfect follow up to my run as artist on Ironheart, which has been super significant to me, and I'm so excited to reconnect with Riri and also get to draw Ms. Marvel, Miles and the rest of the kids and get my visual brand on them individually and as a cohesive team," Vecchio said. "Young legacy heroes are my favorite category in the superhero genre because they redefine and update the archetypes we love in a constantly evolving world that challenges the kind of stories we tell. Champions in particular has been such a special read in this sense from its start and I'm honored to be part of it."
Don't miss this definitive chapter in the sagas of Ms. Marvel, Ironheart, Miles Morales, and more when CHAMPIONS #6 hits stands in April! For more information, visit Marvel.com.
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The new creative team will continue the "Outlawed" status quo for Marvel's young heroes established by outgoing writer Eve L. Ewing last year.
John Ridley's Next Batman, Tim Fox, has launched as part of Future State, and he's a hit! His first appearances have already gone back to print. And now DC has announced the character's adventures will continue in The Next Batman: Second Son, a digital first mini-series which launches February 23rd. Tony Akins, Travel Foreman and Mark Morales supply the art.
Although listed as a mini-series, the exact length isn't mentioned – however, the first three digital chapters will be collected for the first print series, launching on April 6.
Following the four issue Future State: The Next Batman, Tim Fox will appear in a short story in Batman: Black and White #3 (on sale February 23), as well as the Second Son digital series.
If you're fretting about reading everything in print, the whole debut storyline will be collected June 29 in the Batman by John Ridley Deluxe Edition, a 128 page hardcover collection. Contents will include a new original story by Ridley with art by Dustin Nguyen, and collect Future State: The Next Batman issues #1-#4, in addition to stories from Batman: Black and White and "Family Ties," from Batman: The Joker War Zone #1.
Now that the world knows Tim Fox is behind the mask fighting against The Magistrate in Gotham City, what's the truth behind his origin and his connection to the current DC Universe? Featuring art by Tony Akins (Jack of Fables), Travel Foreman (Animal Man, Birds of Prey) and Mark Morales (Justice League, Deathstroke, REPRESENT!/"It's A Bird") this miniseries answers the questions behind Tim's estrangement from Lucius Fox and the rest of the Fox family and his evolution from man of mystery to Gotham's newest guardian.
For more information on Future State: The Next Batman or Tim Fox, visit the DC Future State hub page at www.dccomics.com/futurestate. For information on the World's Greatest Super Heroes, visit the main page at www.dccomics.com, and follow on social media at @DCComics and @thedcnation.
Looks like Tim Fox is here to be a regular part of the DC universe – as is DC's aggressive slate of digital first comics.
The post John Ridley's Tim Fox Batman continues in Digital First series appeared first on The Beat.
The Next Batman: Second Son debuts next month
GAMES TOYS
GIFT CARDS (DIGITAL)
JAPAN ACTION FIGURE
LEGO TOYS


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From milled slides to optics-included packages, these pistol options are all red-dot sight ready.
December 20, 2018 By James Tarr
People have been mounting red dot sights on pistols since the 1980s, but because of optic size and their relatively delicate nature, they were really only suitable for competition. Over the last 10 years, red dot sights have gotten small and robust enough to be suitable for use on carry/defensive handguns.
Just how "in" are red dot-sighted pistols? I've attempted to include all the production handguns offered from manufacturers either equipped from the factory with red dots or set up to immediately mount one, and it wouldn't surprise me if I've overlooked a few (such as Kimber's Aegis Elite Pro (OI) and Super Jägare, covered elsewhere in this issue). We're only covering traditional handguns, but remember, all those AR and AK pistols that easily mount red dots are legally, well, pistols.
Smith & Wesson M&P C.O.R.E.
Like most of the red dot-ready pistols, the S&W M&P C.O.R.E. pistols have tall sights and a slide machined to accept various popular brands of mini red dots.
Smith & Wesson wasn't the first major manufacturer to offer pistols set up for red dots, but their selection of M&P C.O.R.E. (Competition Optics Ready Equipment) pistols is perhaps the most extensive in the industry.
S&W currently offers eight C.O.R.E. pistols through their Performance Center. You have your choice of 9mm or .40 S&W and barrel lengths of 4¼ inches or 5 inches with standard or ported barrels. One version has a 5-inch extended, threaded barrel.
The C.O.R.E. pistols are set up to accept six different styles of mini red dots — Trijicon RMR, Leupold DeltaPoint Pro, JPoint, Docter, C-More STS and Insight MRDS.
Like most of the pistols in this buyer's guide, the Smith & Wessons have tall sights that can be seen and used through the window of the red dot. There is a removable plate just forward of the rear sight where the optic is designed to be mounted.
Most of the C.O.R.E. pistols have a suggested retail price of $769. The extended, threaded barrel model is $825; the ported, long-slide model is $1,092.
smith-wesson.com
Nighthawk Custom GRP 1911
Nighthawk Custom offers several models of 1911s with factory-mounted Trijicon RMR mini red dot sights, such as this Global Response Pistol.
Nighthawk Custom is one of the most well-known custom 1911 shops in the country, and two of their new pistols come equipped from the factory with the Trijicon RMR mini red dot optic.
The basic Global Response Pistol (GRP) is a full-size 1911 chambered in .45 ACP. While the standard GRP model comes equipped with Heinie Ledge Straight Eight tritium sights, you can upgrade to an RMR, as well as get it chambered in 9mm, 10mm or .38 Super. As Nighthawk is a full-custom shop, the GRP is as feature-loaded as any 1911 on the market — 25-lines-per-inch (lpi) checkering on the frontstrap and mainspring housing, match barrel and bushing, and custom G10 grips with a complete dehorning of sharp edges. Prices start at $4,610.
Nighthawk Custom also offers several versions of their Shadow Hawk pistol, including the Shadow Hawk RMR. This is a full-size, 5-inch-barreled 1911 designed with the help of Steve Fisher, formerly of Magpul Dynamics. While it comes standard in 9mm, other calibers are available.
The Shadow Hawk RMR features the following: a flat-faced, solid trigger; extended, flared magwell; 25-lpi checkering on the frontstrap and mainspring housing; 40-lpi serrations on the back of the slide; Trijicon tall tritium night sights that can be seen through the RMR's window; and many other custom touches. Prices start at $4,795.
nighthawkcustom.com
Glock MOS Gen 4 Line
Glock has six Gen 4 models in the MOS line, including this G34.
Some of the first carry guns I ever saw wearing slide-mounted mini red dots were Glocks, but those were all custom gunsmith pieces. Finally seeing the writing on the wall, Glock introduced their Modular Optic System (MOS) line a few years ago, which now includes six different Gen 4 models — the G17, G19, G34, G35, G41 and G40.
Glock's MOS pistols come with a cover plate and four different mounting plates that accept just about every mini red dot on the market. Apart from the ability to mount an optic, the MOS pistols are identical to standard Glock models. This means the MOS pistols are supplied with Glock's standard-height plastic sights that will be unusable if you mount a red dot. Suggested retail on the MOS models runs from $600 to $800.
us.glock.com
Springfield Armory 1911 TRP 10mm
Brand-new from Springfield Armory are 5- and 6-inch versions of the TRP in 10mm sporting a Trijicon RMR. This is the 5-inch model.
Springfield Armory's first factory red dot pistol was the XD(M) Optical Sight Pistol (OSP). This is a full-size, 4½-inch-barreled version of Springfield's polymer-framed, striker-fired XD(M) pistol with a Vortex Optics Venom installed at the factory.
However, Springfield also supplies three mounting plates with the pistol that will allow you to swap out that Vortex for most of the other popular optics. The Venom comes with a 3-MOA dot, but the sights on the pistol are standard height, so you won't be able to use them through the Venom's window. The pistol comes with two 19-round magazines and, even with the Vortex, suggested retail is just $979.
Springfield is just as well-known for their excellent 1911s, and they now offer their TRP 10mm available from the factory in 5- or 6-inch versions mounting a Trijicon RMR. The TRP is one of Springfield's nicest 1911s with many custom touches such as their Posi-Lock texturing on the frame and mainspring housing, oversized magwell, tall Trijicon tritium night sights, Olive G10 grips and Black T corrosion-resistant finish.
The 5-inch model has an MSRP of $2,507; the 6-inch long-slide version has an MSRP of $2,558.
springfield-armory.com
SIG Sauer RX Models
SIG Sauer has a whole line of pistols that come from the factory wearing the Romeo1 mini red dot. The author is shooting the P320 RX.
SIG Sauer has a number of pistols that come equipped from the factory with SIG Sauer's Romeo1 mini red dot sight. Known as the RX models, you have your choice of the P226 Legion RX 9mm; P227 RX .45 ACP; P229 RX and P229 Legion RX 9mms; and the P320 RX, RX Compact and X-FIVE 9mms.
In all RX models, the Romeo1 optic is mounted to the slide just forward of the rear sight. This optic has a 3-MOA dot with multiple brightness settings. All of the RX models come standard with tall sights, but depending on the model, you have your choice of SIG Sauer's standard SIGLITE tritium sights, their XRAY3 night sights or their non-tritium "Tall Contrast Sights."
The do-all, competition-oriented P320 X-FIVE has an adjustable Dawson rear sight set on a removable plate, so you can install a mini red dot if you so choose.
Prices vary between these models, starting at $887 for the P320 RX models. The price of the semicustom Legion pistols is nearly double that.
sigsauer.com
CZ 75 Czechmate TS
The CZ 75 Czechmate TS is a dedicated competition pistol mounting a C-More SlideRide optic. It's the only pistol CZ currently makes that comes with or is even set up to take an optic. This is the Parrot version, with several aluminum parts anodized in bright colors.
While we're focusing on carry-gun options, I have to mention the CZ 75 Czechmate TS — specifically, the Parrot version.
This is a dedicated competition pistol mounting a C-More SlideRide red dot sight. It's the only pistol CZ currently makes that comes with or is even set up to take an optic. It is a full-house competition gun available straight from the CZ factory.
The Czechmate isn't just sold as a pistol, it comes as part of a competition package — included are three 20-round magazines, one 26-round magazine, the C-More SlideRide and mount, a front sight adapter (to replace the compensator) and a rear sight (to replace the slide racker) if you want to shoot iron sights in a Limited Division match.
The standard model is all black, but I love the Parrot version. The Parrot was probably set up by someone who wears the same kind of Hawaiian shirts as me. On this black gun, you'll see all sorts of aluminum parts anodized in screaming colors — a ruby-red trigger, blue optic mount, purple slide racker, green magazine well, brilliant orange right grip panel and a banana-yellow left grip panel. Suggested retail on this unique pistol is $3,320.
cz-usa.com
Dan Wesson 1911 Elite Series - Havoc and Fury
The Dan Wesson Havoc is a dedicated competition pistol that features a sideways-mounted C-More optic. This is done to get the dot closer to the bore.
Dan Wesson offers two pistols with factory-mounted red dots. Both are in their Elite Series of 1911s, which feature a high-capacity, wide-body frame. If you're a 1911 geek, you'll recognize the all-steel frame as the original Caspian high-capacity design.
The Elite Series Fury is available in 9mm or 10mm (18-plus-one and 14-plus-one capacities, respectively) and offers an extended, threaded 5½-inch barrel. From the factory, the Fury mounts a Trijicon RMR, tall night sights, a flat match trigger, checkered frontstrap and mainspring housing and G10 grips. The MSRP of the Fury is $4,899.
The Havoc is the same basic pistol as the Fury but features a long compensator instead of an extended, threaded barrel, and it comes with a sideways-mounted C-More optic. If you've never seen one of those before, it's a competition trick — mounting the C-More sideways puts the red dot closer to the bore and gets the optic out of the way of the ejection port.
The Havoc is available in 9mm or .38 Super. It sports an oversized, extended magazine well and comes with extended 23-round magazines. The Havoc has an MSRP of $4,299.
danwessonfirearms.com
Walther Arms Q5 Match
The Walther Q5 Match has an adjustable LPA rear sight mounted on a removable plate, so users have the option to mount a mini red dot.
Currently, Walther offers three pistols either designed to accept red dots or shipping with them.
First — and newest — is the PPS M2 RMSC, which is a version of Walther's perennially underappreciated, slim 9mm carry gun mounting a mini red dot. The "M2" designation means it offers an American-style magazine release, and depending on magazine length, it will hold six to eight-plus-one rounds. This pistol comes with a Shield RMSc red dot optic mounted at the factory and has an amazingly low MSRP of $699.
Walther offers two versions of their flagship PPQ designed to accept red dots: the Q4 TAC and the Q5 Match. Both the Q4 and Q5 have their rear LPA iron sights mounted on a removable plate. The pistols come with three mounting plates to fit Trijicon RMR, Leupold DeltaPoint Pro and Docter mini red dots. And they both feature the excellent trigger pull that has become synonymous with the PPQ name.
The Q4 TAC has an extended, threaded 4.6-inch barrel and is supplied with flush and extended magazines. It has a suggested retail of $800. The Q5 Match is a 5-inch long-slide meant for competition use and has a suggested retail price of $849.
waltherarms.com
Canik TP9SFx
The Turkish-made Canik TP9SFx is intended to be a purpose-built competition pistol. The provided iron sights are from Warren Tactical, but the rear sight is mounted on a plate that is removable to install a mini red dot.
Many American consumers might not have heard of Turkish arms maker Canik or their TP9 pistol, but it's been getting a lot of headlines over the past few years.
The TP9 is a polymer-framed, striker-fired gun that started out as a bit of a Walther P99 clone but has evolved. It is getting a reputation for reliability at a very low price. There are now several versions of the TP9 available, but the one we're interested in for this buyer's guide is the TP9SFx, which is intended to be a purpose-built competition pistol.
This 9mm pistol has a 5.2-inch barrel and a Tungsten (gray) Cerakote finish on the slide. Two 20-round extended magazines are provided with the pistol. The provided iron sights are from Warren Tactical, but the rear sight is mounted on a plate that is removable, so you can install a mini red dot. Four different plates come with the pistol, so you can mount all the popular mini red dots to the slide. You also get a polymer paddle holster with the pistol, all for the low MSRP of $550.
canikusa.com
Ed Brown LS10 1911
The LS10 from Ed Brown is a 6-inch long-slide meant primarily for handgun hunting. From the factory, the 10mm pistol sports a Trijicon RMR mounted to the slide.
Ed Brown Products is one of those custom 1911 shops that has been around since the original Ed Brown himself started gunsmithing in 1968. Since then, the company has continued to grow and evolve.
While they offer custom work, they have a large catalog of pistols, and many of their new models feature red dots. Last year, I reviewed the Ed Brown LS10, which is a 6-inch long-slide 10mm that comes with a slide-mounted Trijicon RMR.
But Ed Brown also has five other 1911s that come from the factory wearing Trijicon RMRs: the Ed Brown FX1, ZEV 1911, 2018 Executive Target, Special Forces SR (Suppressor Ready) and SRC (Suppressor Ready Compact).
Ranging from Commander- to Government-size pistols and offered in various chamberings from 9mm to .45 ACP, the red dot-sighted Ed Browns are fabulous-looking custom 1911s, but they're expensive — prices start around $4,000.
edbrown.com
STI International H.O.S.T. Tactical
STI started out making competition pistols and still do. This is the DVC Open race gun, which comes from the factory exactly as seen here, wearing a C-More RTS2 optic.
STI International got their start making competition pistols, but they've branched out with their pistol lines. Of interest to this article is their H.O.S.T. Tactical pistol, which has a slide cut to "host" a mini red dot. This pistol has STI's 2011 wide-body polymer frame and is chambered in 9mm, which means flush magazines hold 15 rounds, and you can buy up to 170mm magazines that hold 27 rounds apiece.
Offered with either a 4.15- or 5-inch threaded barrel and tall suppressor-ready tritium sights, the H.O.S.T. models retail for $2,999. It comes with multiple mounting plates, so you can use the mini red dot of your choice.
New for 2018 is STI's DVC Omni, which sports their H.O.S.T. optic cut on the slide. Overall, it has the dimensions of a Government model 1911, but this is a "carry comp" model with a 4.15-inch barrel. Chambered in 9mm or .45 ACP, this pistol has a lot of custom features including tritium sights and a 3-pound trigger pull. MSRP on the DVC Omni is $3,999.
STI hasn't forgotten their competition roots, and they offer two full-house "race" guns with factory-mounted optics. Both the DVC Steel and DVC Open guns are built on STI's 2011 frame and sport long compensators and multiple custom options including 2½-pound triggers. STI installs C-More RTS2 8 MOA optics on these pistols on frame-affixed mounts. They both have $3,999 price tags.
stiguns.com
FN FNX 45 Tactical
FN has one pistol set up at the factory to accept a red dot, the FNX 45 Tactical. This 15-shot .45 ACP with a threaded barrel is available in black or FDE.
FN makes so many modern pistols that I was surprised they only offer one that is compatible with a red dot.
The FNX 45 Tactical is a big, polymer-framed, double-action/single-action (DA/SA) semiauto chambered in .45 ACP. This pistol sports an extended 5.3-inch barrel and raised 3-dot night sights. This is already a big gun (standard magazines hold 15 rounds of .45 ACP), and it seems like a perfect host for a red dot. The FNX 45 Tactical is supplied with two mounting bases to accept numerous types of red dot sights, as well as a blank plate if you want to use the iron sights. The FNX 45 Tactical is available in black or FDE and has a suggested retail of $1,349.
fnamerica.com
Beretta APX
The Beretta APX Combat features an extended, threaded barrel and a slide cut for optics mounting.
Beretta is arguably the oldest firearms company in the world, but it is their newest pistol, the APX, that we'll be covering here.
The APX is a polymer-framed, striker-fired 9mm pistol introduced in 2017. The first model introduced was a duty-size gun, but Beretta has introduced additional APX models since then, including the RDO and the Combat.
The APX RDO takes the full-size APX with its 4¼-inch barrel and gives it a slide cut just forward of the rear sight. Beretta provides four different mounting plates to accept the mini red dot of your choice, as well as a fixed blank plate if you want to use your iron sights without an optic. The sights on this model are of standard height, so they cannot be seen when mounting an optic. Suggested retail on the RDO is $725.
The APX Combat is basically the APX RDO with an extended, threaded 4.9-inch barrel. Suggested retail on the APX Combat is $775.
beretta.com
Infinity Firearms Custom 1911
Infinity Firearms is a total custom shop, making all competition pistols to order, including this brand-new Open gun with a custom serial number — DIAMOND L1FE.
While there are innumerable small and one-man custom shops producing amazing red dot pistols, we had to draw the line at companies that actually make guns as opposed to doing machining work on guns made by others. So, the last company on our list is maybe the smallest, but the guns they produce are some of the finest in the country.
Infinity Firearms mostly makes custom high-end, high-capacity, competition-style 1911s. They make all of their own parts, including frames and slides. They don't have any production models per se — every gun is made to order for the individual customer, who builds their dream gun through Infinity's Gunbuilder feature on their website.
Whether you're looking for an Open Division comped race gun with a frame-mounted C-More optic or a compact 1911 with a slide-mounted Trijicon RMR, Infinity can make it happen. With a near infinite number of options available to you between finishes and checkering — and, yes, even custom serial numbers — any pistol you get from Infinity will be one of a kind. As every pistol they make is essentially a one-off, there are no set prices, but look for a base gun to start around $5,000.
sviguns.com
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Click here (PDF, 2.1 MB) for the latest edition of the Camel Express, including stories and news, from and about Niger.
The April 2010 Issue of the Camel Express Showcased the Hampaté Bâ Middle School Competition to Win GlobalGiving's Open Challenge.
Now It's Up to Us!
Les Amis de Hampaté Bâ, the non profit supporting the Amadou Hampaté Bâ school in Niamey, has been selected to participate in the Global Giving Challenge for September 2010. During the month of September, the association needs to prove that it can raise funds, and if it succeeds, it will have the privilege of appearing permanently on theGlobalGiving web site, providing continual revenues from International donors and benefiting US donors on their tax returns.
Collège Amadou Hampaté Bâ is a private, coeducational, non-denominational secondary school in a popular neighborhood in Niamey called Dar-es-Salam. The school has a bottom-up professional development approach and a process of self-transformation to a progressive teaching/learning experience within a supportive, happy school atmosphere.
Now it is up to us all to help out with the challenge! Here are some important guidelines: Each of us needs to find about 10 people who are willing to give at least 10 dollars each. The challenge consists of raising a minimum of 4000 US dollars in one month (September 2010), which means the association needs to aim for at least 200 donors if each donor gives between 10 and 20 dollars.
The donations for the "Les Amis de Hampaté Bâ" project must be submitted by Internet on GlobalGiving's Open Challenge page between Sept 1st and Sept 30th.
This is a fabulous way for us to raise money for the Amadou Hampaté Bâ Middle School and at the same time help the association gain international recognition.
A video compilation by Marisa Wong (Niger 2008-2010) that captures life in Niger pretty well. Set to the song Hard To Explain by The Strokes.


Working to Make Our Community a Better Place for Kids!
Here at Loma Linda University Children's Hospital we offer parents the comfort and assurance that their child is receiving the highest level of medical care available. Our medical team has more than a hundred pediatricians, pediatric surgeons, and sub-specialists to treat everything from broken bones to disabilities and life-threatening diseases. In addition to our doctors, we have more than 1,200 nurses, child life specialists and other staff who are dedicated to the health and healing of children. Together they provide a family-focused environment backed by state-of-the-art care.
Each year more than 134,000 children come here when they are hurt or sick and more than 15,000 stay overnight.
We have over 250 special beds just for kids!
Our Children's Hospital services a geographical area of 1.2 million children in Southern California.
The Children's Hospital is a major pediatric teaching facility for Loma Linda University School of Medicine, School of Nursing, and other health professions.


Many of today's most advanced and highest performing vehicles, such as Rimac C Two and Rivian, are fully electric or hybrid electric vehicles (EV). In conjunction with the advances in battery, fuel cells, or internal combustion engine technologies, improving the efficiency, performance, and cost of the vehicle powertrain are integrally essential for vehicle efficiency and the EV future. Since automakers are predicting a dramatic decline in vehicles solely powered by internal combustion engines with the electric powertrain as the only practical alternative (e.g., e-mobility), the electric propulsion motor "system" market for electric vehicles (alone) is expected to surpass $100B by 2029. Note: AC Industrial electric motors (without including "system" control) provide another $152B by 2025.


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New Zealand Immigration soon accepting additional English Test
The New Zealand Immigration Department have decided to accept the results of a new English test as proof of visa applicants' language proficiency.
New Zealand, as most other English speaking countries, require visa applicants to provide sufficient and accepted proof of the applicant's English language proficiency. South Africans are included in this requirement.
English language proficiency counts toward 6.5 of the 100 minimum points required to be eligible to apply for a New Zealand work or business visa or permanent residency.
Prior to Immigration New Zealand's decision to accept the results of the Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic) applicants had no option other than undertaking the International English Language Test (IELTS).
The PTE test is an online language proficiency test which will as of 21 November be an approved proof of English language proficiency for all visa categories with an English language requirement.
This means for the first time all visa applicants to New Zealand will have a choice of Government-approved English language testing options. PTE Academic is already accepted by 100 per cent of New Zealand universities and widely used by student visa applicants.
Vinne Schifferstein, Director Language Testing for Pearson, said: "Pearson is proud to achieve INZ recognition.
"PTE Academic is a secure English language test that enables test-takers to access their scores quickly.
"We are also approved by the Australian Department of Immigration and Border Protection for all visa tiers, so the New Zealand Government's approval further consolidates PTE Academic as the fast growing secure test for visa applications."
David Barnett, Managing Director of Pearson Australia and New Zealand said: "For many years applicants from non-English speaking countries, such as India, China, the Philippines, Malaysia and Singapore were limited in their choice of tests to prove their English language proficiency.
"While our test is academically challenging it is based on the real life English migrants need. The test provides a seamless user experience, from booking, testing, through to receiving results making the process less stressful for applicants and organisations processing a test taker's application.
"Pearson looks forward to assisting the New Zealand government with recruiting skilled migrants to their workforce.
"The computer-based test uses cutting edge technology to ensure score reliability, and integrity of the testing process. It also offers the fastest score reporting in the market, with test takers receiving their results typically within five business days."


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Multimedia, North Tyneside, Sport
Tyne Met College's women's football programme receives international recognition
Written by Stuart Dick on 1st March 2019
More in Multimedia:
Penny Remfry's poster collection at Northumbria University 31st May 2019
An interview with Sky Sports Commentator Gary Taphouse 23rd May 2019
Leonardo da Vinci exhibition huge success for Sunderland Museum and Winter Gardens 10th May 2019
A women's football coach and two promising young players from Tyne Metropolitan College have recently earned an international call-up.
Defender Grace Ayre and forward Kacie Elson were part of the England College's side which won the Il Calcio E'Rosa tournament, which hosts teams from across Europe, in Rome in February.
"It is my greatest honour in football, even just the experience of playing with Women's Super League players has lifted my game," said Grace.
Carl Chater helped coach England during the tournament. He was appointed head coach of the Tyne Metropolitan College in early 2015, taking the college from Category Two level to winning a Category One league in just two seasons. He said:
"The fact we have taken players from the local areas and from different schools into our women's football programme – and then they have progressed to international level – is phenomenal. I feel that the programme we have got now is the ideal place for any young women with aspirations of playing at a high level."
TyneMet will represent the area in a National School's final on Wednesday, March 27; the match can be viewed from 4pm on the following link.
Stuart Dick


Cullompton Pre-school have won the local Bags of Help scheme in Cullompton Tesco store. Winning has enabled them to provide this amazing new swing for the setting. They have received wonderful support from the local community.