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Brazil: A victory for the mass struggle
Governors of Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, and many other cities cut transport fares but the struggle must continue.
Andre Ferrari, LSR (CWI Brazil)
Following the tsunami of mass struggles during recent days, the state government of Sao Paulo, the prefects of Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, the two largest cities in Brazil, along with dozens of state capitals and cities throughout the country, have decided to reduce transport fares.
The reduction in fares, by twenty centavos in the case of Sao Paulo, in so many cities, represents the most significant victory for the mass struggle after suffering almost twenty years of a neo-liberal offensive by the ruling class against the workers and the people.
Intransigent, authoritarian and repressive state governments have been compelled to do an about turn in the face of two weeks of intense mass mobilisations, which have swept through the entire country. On 17 June more than 300,000 people took to the streets in various cities. Almost 200,000 marched in Sao Paulo and Rio – the highest concentration of the mobilisations. In Brasilia, the Congress was occupied, as was the city Hall in Sao Paulo.
The In Sao Paulo protests paralysed the main highways and marched to Ponte Estaiada, a monument to rich property speculators. Following brutal police repression the preceding week, which triggered even bigger protests, on the 17th June the state governor decided against further repression.
In Rio de Janeiro, however, there was strong repression and numerous arrests. Amongst them was a member of LSR (CWI Brazil). The comrade was charged with being a 'member of an organised criminal gang' and released on payment of a fine. In Belo Horizonte (in the state of Minas Gerais) ,where a football match for the Copa das Confereacoes was taking place in a new modern stadium, more people protested outside the venue than watch the game inside.
A further demonstration in Sao Paulo called the following day, on 18 June, was attended by 80,000 people, which completely took over Praca da Sé Square in the city centre. At the same time, protests took place in Avenida Paulista, where disorganised attempts were made to take over the city hall and also the office of the city Prefect. In Rio de Janeiro, on the previous day, the offices of the state Legislative Assembly were taken over for hours by protestors in such a way that it was clearly a genuine popular rebellion.
Throughout the following day, on 19 June, radicalised mass protests took place. Motorways were blocked and closed, bus station were blockaded and large street marches were held by the MSTS (Movement of Workers Without Roofs) with the active participation of comrades from the LSR (CWI Brazil), in the outskirts of Sao Paulo. There were indications that the struggle was radicalising and beginning to explode in the poor areas around the city, involving workers, which put added pressure on the government.
Following the calling of new unified protests, on a national level, on 20 June, the governing authorities in Sao Paulo and Rio decided to announce a reduction in fares.
Divisions within governing parties
This arose following major debates and divisions within the governing parties. An emergency meeting was organised involving Lula (Brazil's ex-President, who officially has no position), President Dilma Rouseff and the Prefect of Sao Paulo, Fernando Haddad. During this meeting, the Prefectura was surrounded by protesters.
The following morning, Haddad declared that a reduction in transport tariffs would be a 'populist' position to adopt. His argument however did not last long. At a football match between Mexico and Brazil, in Fortaleza, where the stadium was surrounded by protestors, a press conference was organised by Haddad and the governor of Sao Paulo, Alkmin, a member of the right-wing PSDB (which is in opposition to the federal government). Haddad and Alkmin announced that a reduction in fares would be implemented.
With the transformation of the PT (Workers Party) into a capitalist party and as the trade union confederation, CUT, has become a transmission belt for the federal government, amongst wide layers in the protest movement there is a strong anti-party sentiment. In this situation, sectors of the organised right-wing have whipped up a strong anti-party mood directed against the left-wing political parties present on the protests.
The anti-party mood has often translated into physical attacks against those who carried Left-wing party banners and flags. This has often arisen following the actions of right-wing provocateurs, including police infiltrators.
Given the dimension of this mass movement, all political forces in the country, including the federal government representatives and representatives of the employers, have tried to cynically take up the idealism of youth on these mobilisations. In reality, the Brazilian capitalist class has entered the struggle and is challenging for the leadership of the movement, reflecting some of the demands of the movement.
In this situation, the left parties (PSOL and its internal currents, the PSTU and PCB), the social movements with a class orientation, like the MTST and Terra Livre (which the LSR actively collaborates with), various trade union fronts, like CSP-Conlutas and Intersindical and others, including anarchist groupings, are now beginning to join the protest movement. This is centring on the demonstrations for 20 June, defending the right of the left parties to raise their banners on the protests and is aimed at preventing the right-wing gaining an influence in the movement.
Despite the contradictory elements in the political consciousness of those in this movement, it has been able to score a victory and force a reduction in the transport charges. It has now raised the question of the movement continuing. There is not agreement between the combative social movements and the Left on this question. The national protests called for the 20 June could become a commemoration of what has been achieved rather than a step to take the movement forward.
The LSR is calling for organised assemblies and forums of the movement to work out demands and a programme to deepen the gains already won in relation to public transport costs. The governments that have announced a reduction in transport costs are also announcing further cuts in social programmes. The movement should demand that the money is taken from the accounts of the private companies that operate the transport system and not from other social programmes.
Even with a reduction in transport costs the high cost of travel is a heavy burden for workers and students. The demand for free transport was one of old demands of the PT which the party abandoned as it swung to the right. This demand should be taken up again. It should also be linked with the demand for the municipalisation and nationalisation of the transport system.
The resources to guarantee this system and improve its quality should be taken from suspending the payment of debts by the state and local councils to the federal government, which are currently used to make easy profits by the banks and speculators.
Movement needs to link up with other struggles
To take up the struggle for a public transport system that is free and good quality, the movement needs to link up with other struggles that have arisen and the demands of workers, the youth and the people to the cities. Struggles like the campaign against the crimes of the preparation around next year's football World Cup, which include driving of thousands of families from their homes. Millions of Reales are being spent on building new stadiums and other infrastructure projects for the World Cup yet schools, education and hospitals are inadequate and precarious.
There is also the need to take up the demand to defend democratic rights, to free expression and for the right to demonstrate. The World Cup means, in reality, the declaration of a state of emergency. In practice, it means criminalising poverty and social protest movements.
It is necessary to also to deepen mass actions to draw directly into this movement the working class and to take up the methods of struggle of the working class in these mobilisations. This is the most effective way to prevent the right-wing getting an influence in this movement.
The Brazilian ruling class is now preparing the conditions for a general strike. The question of a 24 hour general strike is to be posed sooner or later if the movement is to be maintained and strengthened.
There is an urgent need to build a united front of the social and left political movements in the short term. Linked to this we need to fight for a national assembly of workers, youth and the communities, to discuss a programme for the continuation of the struggle and the action needed to fight for it.
A new page has opened of the class struggle in Brazil. After a long time we have come out of the desert of years of neo-liberalism and down turn in social struggle. We must not lose this opportunity.
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Chances are, not everything on the menu above the counter will be available at every visit to this Haitian restaurant off Highway 6 near George Bush Park, but diners willing to take what they can get are in for a treat. Long-marinated chicken legs, goat and turkey are fried crisp and served with rice and beans and plantains. The $6.99 lunch special provides enough piquant food for two meals.


An Inflection Point in Supply Chain Planning? An Inflection Point in Supply Chain Planning?
An Inflection Point in Supply Chain Planning?
There are I think two related trends that are sending the traditional world of supply chain planning software in some important new directions.
The first is a partial transition away from the strictly hierarchical, cycle driven approach to planning to one that is more continuous and integrates planning and execution at much deeper levels than we have seen in the past.
The second is the rapid ascendance of advanced analytics as the planning engines from software vendors and indeed companies themselves, versus the traditional planning applications we've had for something like 40 years now, but which really came to the forefront in the 1990s from such companies as i2 Technologies, Manugistics and Logility, among others.
We're moving into an era of algorithmic planning that can consider a much wider and complex range of variables in recommending plans.
I make these comments after having just returned from the Logility user conference this week in Atlanta. It was a good couple of days, and triggered some thoughts, which I will relay here. As always, I try to make these "trip reports" of value to all readers, not just Logility users, by generalizing as much as I can.
That said, some quick notes on Logility. The company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of American Software, once a leading player in manufacturing and ERP software - it had the first commercial DRP application, just FYI - but that business continues to dwindle down.
Logility represents roughly 70% of American Software revenues, and is now about an $80 million company, with a small portion of that revenue coming from another division, Demand Solutions, which caters more to the small and medium company planning market (though it has a few large customers as well).
In 2015, Allan Dow became President of Logility after a number of years heading sales and marketing. Earlier this month, he was named president of all of American Software. Logility revenues have grown at an annual rate of 8% over the past three years, not bad in what is clearly a currently slow-growth planning market. It has continued to expand its international sales, and is the planning platform for a growing roster of very large companies (e.g., Verizon, Under Armour, Ferguson), something it to an extent lacked in years past.
So back to my themes. Obviously, there has been much talk in recent years about the rise of analytics, though as usual often without a lot of detail and/or obfuscation of what is really different from what we have had until now.
So, for example, a number of software companies have talked about embedding analytics in their planning applications. But what this really means in most cases is making traditional "descriptive" analytics easier to access as part of the planning process, and in a way that is contextually relevant to the work a planner is doing at a given point in time.
That is all well and good, and may save the planner time and reduce the need to go outside the planning application and do some analysis in a spreadsheet. But this is not the game changing type of analytics I am talking about.
Consider, for example, the type of analytics Intel has built to improve its supply chain decision-making. As presented at last fall's CSCMP conference, Intel's new age analytics includes a "supply-demand solver" that looks out over some horizon, and not only identifies where there is a gap in S&OP plans, but also suggests how the issues might be best resolved. Another called "inventory surveillance" provides a neat visual simulation of how inventory will flow across the supply chain to customers over some period of time, and again identifies likely problem areas.
These are not your father's analytics - this is a whole new generation.
At the Logility conference, Dow and VP of R&D Mark Balte gave a nice overview of where this is all headed. Most of us have probably seen the framework for analytics as popularized by Thomas Davenport that starts with "descriptive" - reporting on what has already happened.
A layer above are diagostics - providing insight into why something happened. If you can understand why something happened, then you may be able to develop predictive analytics that anticipate problems or opportunities. And if you can predict problems or opportunities, you may also be able to move into "prescriptive" analytics - what should a company or a planner do when faced with a given situation?
But the game changer is really taking that last category, prescriptive analytics, and moving it into the brave new world of cognitive systems, based on artificial intelligence.
Balte gave a nice summary of the differences between the traditional planning world and this coming era of cognitive solutions, which I summarized in the table below.
As I hope we can agree, if this does indeed play out as summarized above, this will certainly be a major inflection point in the history of supply chain planning. Logility, for example, noted in this world the software will automatically run through perhaps hundreds or thousands of planning scenarios - something that really has to be initiated manually today, meaning a limited number of scenarios are evaluated in practice.
In this world, after running through this huge range of scenarios, the planning software might select the three or four most likely, relevant or impactful for company executives to consider - and of course likely then also recommend the best decision based on parameters the company has previously determined.
And with machine learning, these new age analytics will simply get smarter over time. With most planning applications today founded either in basic heuristics (e.g., DRP) or linear programming for optimization (e.g., network planning), we're moving into an era of algorithmic planning that can consider a much wider and more complex range of variables in recommending plans.
It is going to be a wild ride, that's for sure, with winners and losers in the software market.
Just a few other notes of general interest from the rest of the conference: Logility chief scientist Sean Willems was entertaining and interesting as usual in his day 2 keynote presentation. Willems is also head of the supply chain analytics program at the University of Tennessee, and literally along with an MIT colleague, invented the algorithm for multi-echelon inventory optimization (MEIO) in the late 1990s or so in his master's thesis. A smart man indeed, who came to Logility when it acquired his company, Optiant, which provided an MEIO solution.
We all need decision "playbooks," Willems said, by which he means a structured way for looking at problems and opportunities. He cited the four-chapter playbook used by Jeff Wilkie, CEO Worldwide Consumer at Amazon and graduate of a master's program at MIT that Willems also teaches at currently.
Wilkie's playbook starts with "constraint management" - a process view of the issue. Next is "statistical process control" - how can Lean and Six Sigma principles be applied? Following that is supply chain - what is the cross-functional view of this issue? Finally, "plant managers matter" - an Amazon fulfillment center is really more like a factory than not, with inputs and outputs. How will this issue/opportunity impact factory performance, with the fulfilment center managers greatly impacting system results?
I was very struck that during several of the case study breakout sessions, companies were simply limited in what they can do in demand and supply planning by a lack of staff. One well-known, global cosmetics firm cannot get to retailer-specific forecasting because it just doesn't have the human bandwidth, for example, a theme that ran through several of the presentations.
As I mentioned to Dow, Logility's strength and partial weakness is its conservative approach to its financial management, market messaging and more. This is a company that simply doesn't get out ahead of its skis very often, though Dow said the company may get more aggressive in terms of its future vision soon, and part of that was on display in Atlanta.
The company has made a few, relatively modest acquisitions in recent years (e.g., MID Retail), but American Software has no debt and is sitting on some $80 million or so in cash. I think we can expect other deals for complementary solutions in coming years.
Do you think advanced analytics will drive a new era of supply chain planning? Why or why not? Is lack of staff a big issue in demand and supply planning? Let us know your thought at the Feedback section below.


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Rock History 101: Pink Floyd's "Another Brick in the Wall, Part II"
on July 30, 2008, 4:50pm
1979 had it's share of ups and downs. At the precipice of a decade, which would later bring us MTV (before the demise of actual music on television), it is a year where Margaret Thatcher sadly became Prime Minister, and a time when disco was dying. In 1979, music history was blessed with a rock opera that (in my personal opinion) matched The Who's Tommy. It was in that year that Pink Floyd released The Wall, spawning a single which not only topped charts but got chopped from many countries' radio airwaves.
"Another Brick In The Wall, Part II" is one of those songs that define the term, "classic." It remains as solid a track today as it was then. Listeners have the chorus lodged in their memory like a bad commercial jingle, and always join the Islington Green schoolchildren in chanting it. Unlike the many one-hit wonders of that era, Pink Floyd was and still is a band that stands the test of time, musically – and while they had been famous long before '79, The Wall has been classified a classic album and another example of a well-tuned concept piece (which Floyd is known for).
Adding to a famous and infamous nature, 1980 saw the Elsie's River uprising in South Africa using said song as a protest anthem – which in turn got "Another Brick…" banned by their government May 2nd of that year.
Understandably, Rock History 101 is for educational purposes, so let me teach you a little something. This song is part of a trilogy of tracks on The Wall, and while this one is the most memorable and received more airplay – the full power is evident when you take everything into account.
"Part I", which is the more melancholy of these three, details the mourning of a son over the loss of his military father during wartime. "Part II" is an outright stab at boarding schools of the UK, or any oppressive force currently in place. "Part III" references the final straw of the main character's sanity as he has just had his wife leave him. As one progresses through all three tracks, the mood becomes increasingly angrier.
We don't need no education
We dont need no thought control
No dark sarcasm in the classroom
Teachers leave them kids alone
Hey! Teachers! Leave them kids alone!
All in all it's just another brick in the wall.
All in all you're just another brick in the wall.
"Wrong, Do it again!"
"If you don't eat yer meat, you can't have any pudding. How can you
have any pudding if you don't eat yer meat?"
"You! Yes, you behind the bikesheds, stand still laddy!"
The Wall is a story centered around a man named Pink, who after many trials and tribulations (and sheltering from his mom), builds a psychological "wall" around himself – while the lyrics are mostly written by Roger Waters (our 2nd favorite celebrity activist next to Bono) about himself. The people in his life are informally known as "bricks" for his wall, and help build it prior to putting himself on trial and causing the wall to crumble.
"Part II" is notable for being Floyd's most popular song to date, however the entire trilogy begs the question – what is one's limit before they finally lose it? What makes a person essentially snap? In the case of Pink (and most people in general), it appears to be many small issues collecting over time, allowing the last blow to be fatal.
To cement it's place in rock history, "Part II" has been covered numerous times – the most well-known versions being by Class Of '99 off the soundtrack for The Faculty, and by KoRn for their Greatest Hits, Vol. 1
(along with parts I & III). Roger Waters has been extremely supportive of such ventures, believing that the song (and the album in its entirety) is the part of the best work in Floyd's catalog and should be forever remembered. He even heralded The Bloodhound Gang for parodying "Part II" with a line from their song "Right Turn Clyde" – "all in all, you're just a dick with no balls". With so many events connected to a song like this, one cannot overlook its presence amongst other great masterpieces of rock music.
As many who have seen the film companion to The Wall would know, there is a scene that includes "Part II" where children march in unison through a meat grinder after becoming void, putty-faced clones who have conformed to society and succumbed to their abusive teacher's rants, before rioting and burning down the school – the final act playing out during the famous guitar solo finale. In this scene, you see the shadows of hammers pounding away inside the grinder – viciously molding these students into model citizen drones. No wonder they torched the building.
I can't possibly think of a more fitting arrangement of images…can you?
(NOTE: "Part II" is listed at #375 on Rolling Stones' Greatest Songs of All Time)
Rock History 101
Album Review: Dr. Dog – Fate
Album Review: Conor Oberst – Conor Oberst

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How is early rheumatoid arthritis diagnosed?
How are early stages of rheumatoid arthritis diagnosed?
Medication for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis
How do the conventional DMARDs work?
What does research say about conventional DMARDs?
How do biologics work?
What other medications can help relieve the symptoms?
How are the medications used?
Support aids for people with rheumatoid arthritis
What kinds of support aids are there?
Who pays for support aids?
Exercise and sports for rheumatoid arthritis
What does the research tell us about how effective exercise is?
Are there any risks involved?
Living and dealing with fatigue
How does fatigue change your life?
How do people cope with exhaustion?
Can physical activity help to lessen fatigue?
What kind of treatment could help against fatigue?
Everyday life with rheumatoid arthritis
How can rheumatoid arthritis change your everyday life?
How can rheumatoid arthritis affect your job?
Can I still drive if I have rheumatoid arthritis?
How does rheumatoid arthritis affect how people see themselves?
How does rheumatoid arthritis affect relationships and sexuality?
Rheumatoid arthritis Everyday life
(PantherMedia / feverpitched)
Rheumatoid arthritis can cause pain and swelling in the joints and also lead to limited flexibility and loss of strength. General physical weakness, trouble sleeping and exhaustion are other common symptoms. All of these symptoms can greatly impact general wellbeing and performance at work.
And living with rheumatoid arthritis isn't always easy, because it's often difficult to predict the symptoms: They may get better or worse the next day - it's hard to know in advance. Having a "bad" day can be very difficult and make some people like they have really fallen down into a deep dark hole. This can be compounded by anxieties about the future because it's so difficult to predict how the condition might develop in one particular person. But different treatments can slow or stop the condition from getting worse.
It's common to have stiff and painful joints in the morning, making it difficult to get up and start the day. Everyday chores like cooking, laundry, cleaning and yard work can become a challenge over time, as can other leisure time activities. There are a number of different support aids that can help make it easier. Also, over time many people develop strategies to better deal with these kinds of everyday activities. For example: When you do laundry, you don't necessarily need to hang up the entire load all at once. You could start with heavier items and then finish the rest later on.
Most people who have rheumatoid arthritis still want to manage their everyday life situations despite having the condition. Support from family and friends is then especially critical. It's also important for them to have a good understanding of the condition and the associated limitations it can cause.
Work is an important part of life for many people, aside from the basic need to earn money. Provided that you're somewhat satisfied with your working environment, a job is often felt to be part of finding meaning in life and helpful for self-confidence. In addition to financial independence, the social environment at work is also very important.
Continuing to do their job can help also help distract people from the condition's symptoms and help show them that not everything in their life need revolve around their disease. Some people who have rheumatoid arthritis even report that their job has become more important to them since having the condition, and that they'd rather make concessions to their leisure activities than give up their work.
If the disease does affect your work, it may be helpful to talk with your coworkers or superior. Your employer may be able to offer you some forms of support, such as modifying your workplace or adjusting your break times or deadlines for certain tasks. If it becomes necessary to redesign your workplace, your pension may cover the costs in some circumstances.
People who have more severe limitations due to rheumatoid arthritis may be eligible for a severely disabled ID card. The information that follows related to this ID card is specific to Germany, but may be similar in other countries. This ID card grants specific rights to people who have a disability beyond a certain minimum level of severity. For example, severely disabled employees then have special job protection and are eligible for additional vacation time. These rights are meant to compensate for the health disadvantages they have.
For many people who have rheumatoid arthritis, driving a car remains a major part of the lives. It can give them the feeling of continued independence and mobility. And it helps people to stay socially active, especially if they live in the countryside.
Many people can continue to drive even with rheumatoid arthritis. But over time, the symptoms may make it increasingly difficult to drive. There are many things that may be more and more of a problem, like taking a fast glimpse over your shoulder, steering safely, and shifting gears quickly or reacting to a dangerous situation in time. Some specialized modifications may be able to help, such as an additional mirror for people who aren't able to turn their head very well. An automatic car can be easier to drive too. It's also important that the step up into the car isn't too high. In some cases it may be possible to reconfigure the car to make it more suitable for a disabled driver.
Many drivers also change their driving habits on the road. They make sure to avoid busier times of the day, like rush hour, and don't drive when they're having a "bad day." For people who are severely disabled from walking it can help to have a severely disabled ID card that is marked with "extraordinary walking disability": This makes it possible to park in special handicapped parking spaces.
It may be necessary to give up driving if the limitations become so severe that it's no longer possible to ensure that the car can be steered safely. To make such a personal decision responsibly, it's critical that you're acutely aware of your physical limitations and be honest with yourself. If it's no longer possible for you to drive safely, you are endangering both your life and the lives of others.
You can talk with your doctor if you're unsure whether you can still drive well enough. You can also go to the department for road traffic and have your ability to drive tested. Your health insurer may cover the costs.
Young women develop rheumatoid arthritis relatively often. The limitations it can cause come right at a time when most of their peers are in good health and able to withstand physical stress.
Some mothers are afraid that they might not be able to attend to the needs of their children or their partner. Young women who have rheumatoid arthritis often wonder whether they should even have children, but it's not a reason to forgo pregnancy. It's important to keep in mind, though, that not all of the rheumatoid arthritis medication can be taken before and during pregnancy. So it's a good idea to try to get pregnant during a period when the symptoms are milder. Going to a gynecologist or a rheumatoid arthritis specialist for advice in advance can also be helpful. Men who are trying for a pregnancy also need to stop taking some rheumatoid arthritis medication for a while.
Many women are concerned with their appearance and how attractive they are. Choosing the right shoes can be quite difficult: Most of the more fashionable shoes are not an option since it may be harder to make them fit right or put in special insoles. Orthopedic shoes may be needed if your feet have undergone too much change. Some women feel guilty about buying shoes they like, but that aren't suitable for insoles and will be bad for their feet. They may also avoid wearing certain items of clothing like skirts because it could reveal that they have rheumatoid arthritis if their knees or feet are affected. Some may also worry about the appearance of their hands if they're affected. These kinds of limitations may make women feel less attractive and feminine.
Pain and loss of strength can also affect how men see themselves. They often have a difficult time showing weakness or accepting help. Some are concerned about loss of status if they have to give up their job or take on a different position. Quite a few men may even try ignoring the condition as much as possible because it doesn't fit in with how they view themselves. They'd like to stay in control and continue living the life they're used to as much as possible. But this can be physically and emotionally draining. This kind of behavior can lead to depressive thoughts, frustration and aggression.
But these sorts of feelings need not gain the upper hand. Many people succeed in adjusting their individual goals or setting new ones that they can reach even with rheumatoid arthritis. As is the case with many chronic diseases, there will be phases when things get better and then get worse again. In some phases the condition will be more dominant, while in others it will recede into the background. People who have severe emotional distress as a result of their rheumatoid arthritis may also seek psychological treatment.
Rheumatoid arthritis influences your everyday life and work, but it also affects your relationship and sexuality. The condition may have an impact on many different parts of a relationship, and influence the roles each person assumes, the division of chores in the household, mutual plans and leisure activities. Forgoing parties and trips, or not participating in sports that you both enjoy may lead to disappointment and difficulties developing a feeling of togetherness.
Sometimes people with rheumatoid arthritis have the feeling that their partner doesn't show enough understanding for the situation they are in. Friends and family also need to first learn about what the condition will entail – and it may be a burden for them too. It changes the lives of both partners. It's not always easy to see the other in pain, or to deal with more limitations and take on more responsibilities. It's important not to blame yourself or anyone else, because the condition and its effects are no one's "fault."
Some couples don't speak enough about their problems. But honest discussions about stress, needs, worries and fears can be helpful to understand what the other person is going through. It might be better to come up with ideas together about changing habits, like doing more short-term planning for leisure activities, taking more breaks on trips and reconsidering who takes care of which chores.
Painful joints, exhaustion and limited flexibility can all impact sexuality. They can make sex difficult and sometimes even impossible. Vaginal dryness is one problem that can be relieved with lubricants and creams.
The condition can also change how you feel about your body. This may affect the core areas of femininity or masculinity. So it's not uncommon for sexual desire to subside as the disease progresses. Some people feel increasingly unattractive and may avoid sex.
Even if they don't have the energy or feel any desire for sexuality, physical contact and tenderness are usually important and pleasant for most people. This can help couples to still feel intimate and close.
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Detaille SI, Haafkens JA, van Dijk FJH. What employees with rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes mellitus and hearing loss need to cope at work. Scand J Work Environ Health 2003; 29(2): 134-142.
Josefsson KA, Gard G. Women's experiences of sexual health when living with rheumatoid arthritis--an explorative qualitative study. BMC Musculoskelet Disord 2010; 11: 240.
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Naidoo S, Anderson S, Mills J, Parsons S, Breeden S, Bevan E et al. "I could cry, the amount of shoes I can't get into": A qualitative exploration of the factors that influence retail footwear selection in women with rheumatoid arthritis. J Foot Ankle Res 2011; 4: 21.
Nilsson I, Fitinghoff H, Lilja M. Continuing to work after the onset of rheumatoid arthritis. Work 2007; 28(4): 335-342.
Nyman A, Lund ML. Influences of the social environment on engagement in occupations: the experience of persons with rheumatoid arthritis. Scand J Occup Ther 2007; 14(1): 63-72.
Vrkljan BH, Cranney A, Worswick J, O'Donnell S, Li LC, Gelinas I et al. Supporting safe driving with arthritis: developing a driving toolkit for clinical practice and consumer use. Am J Occup Ther 2010; 64(2): 259-267.
Williams AE, Nester CJ, Ravey MI, Kottink A, Klapsing MG. Women's experiences of wearing therapeutic footwear in three European countries. J Foot Ankle Res 2010; 3: 23.
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Our information is based on the results of good-quality studies. It is written by a team of health care professionals, scientists and editors, and reviewed by external experts. You can find a detailed description of how our health information is produced and updated in our methods.
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Labels: Arthritis, Immune system and infections, Inflammation of the joints, M06, M13, M20, Muscles, bones and joints, Rheumatoid arthritis
Updated August 11th 2016 August 11th 2016
Created October 23rd 2013
Next update: 2020
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Rockit Hospitality is the group behind Fleet Landing and Tradd's located in the heart of downtown Charleston.
Fleet Landing has free on-site parking and water views. Tradd's is the perfect place for a holiday dinner with a beautiful setting and amazing caviar service!


text:
Marcus Arrius Flaccus war ein im 1. Jahrhundert n. Chr. lebender römischer Politiker.

Durch Militärdiplome, die auf den 8. September 79 datiert sind, ist belegt, dass Flaccus 79 zusammen mit Titus Rubrius Aelius Nepos Suffektkonsul war.

Siehe auch
 Liste der römischen Konsuln

Weblinks

Literatur

Einzelnachweise

Konsul (Römische Kaiserzeit)
Römer
Mann
Geboren im 1. Jahrhundert
Gestorben im 1. oder 2. Jahrhundert

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


text:
Q: Flex Facebook App iframe z-index/transparancy problem I'm developping a Facebook Application in Flex, the application renders in facebook,
but when I click the notifications tab, it appears behind the iframe, as you can see in the image below.
Does anyone have an idea what the problem might be?
http://i.stack.imgur.com/0lBjC.png

A: I've found the solution to the problem.
In the html-template I added an attribute
atributes.wmode = "opaque";

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


The new Asus VivoBook S14 is designed giving portability in mind, much like the Acer Swift 5. Now, in addition to the stylish looks, this VivoBook is also portable and well-priced. Let's see other details of this laptop.
The softball trim on the model looks really good and the lid offers good protection for the display. It also has the spun metal finish which issues have been using for a while on its products. It doesn't attract fingerprints and it's fairly resistant structures. The lid of the Asus VivoBook S14 doesn't bend all the way back and it doesn't have that support either. But you do get a full HD resolution IPS panel with an undeclared finish. This helps get rid of most of the reflection issues. And, we found the brightness, there has to be quite adequate.
We also like the slim bezel on the sides of the display which has allowed issues to fit a 14 inch screen in a chassis typically designed for 13 inch laptops. However, the hinge doesn't have very good torsion causing the display to wobble easily. This could be a problem and using the laptop in a moving vehicle.
The key travel is also pretty good. The keys have backlighting feature and they are well spaced and sized. However, there's quite a bit of flex which makes an annoying sound when you type. Due to the plastic build, Asus VivoBook S14 is quite light to wing it around 1.2 to 1.4 kilograms, depending on the model you pick. The trackpad area is wide and there's a fingerprint sensor in the corner to authentication. Tracking performance is all right but not great as compared to the most mainstream windows laptops.
Physical connectivity includes two USB ports, a single type C port, a micro HDMI port instead of a standard one for some reason, a microphone and headphone combo port and a micro SD card slot. The lack of a full-size SD card reader is still a bit disappointing.
Now the laptop is available in multiple storage and CPU options. But, all of them have 8GB of RAM and the base model is equipped with an Intel core i3 7100U CPU which we don't particularly recommend you. Also, you get an option of an 8th gen i5 8250U CPU or a Core i7 8550U CPU. If you look online, you'll find the s410 UA models which ship with the SSD and a 1TB mechanical hard drive.
The Asus VivoBook S14 has no trouble taking on the workloads. Boot time in Windows 10 is quick and the quad core CPU handles multitasking quite well. The display has good viewing angles and colors are vibrant and punchy. The laptop also runs smooth. We can hear the fans ramp up while playing heavy 3D Games or running benchmarks test. Besides, the Asus VivoBook S14 stay quiet, smooth in nature and doesn't get uncomfortably hot, which is good.
Audio performance is not too shabby either. The stereo speakers placed underneath on either side of the laptop have a warm Sonic signature. There isn't too much bass but vocals and highest sound crisp. Videos look good too. Thanks to the IPS panel.
The gaming performance isn't great as we mostly got single digit frame rates in our tests. However, it isn't much of an issue. Battery life is slightly better. If your primary use involves working within a browser most of the time, then we found it to run for about six to six and a half hours. This has come at a slight cost to the build quality of the keyboard area but overall it's not a bad package.
You can get this Asus VivoBook S14 for the price of about $700 during this review. For this price, you will get core i7 7th gen intel core processor and a 1TB hard drive and in addition, you can go for the 256GB SSD as well. Fi modem provided is the best bet. You can also get the Apple MacBook Air that does offer rugged dependability compared to this laptop. However, when you look at the price to performance ratio, then the Asus VivoBook S14 has the edge over the other.
Thank You for reading our review. If you have any queries, then please comment down below. We would love to reply them all. Have a great day.
ecoATM Buys Your Old, Broken iPhone 7, iPhone X, Galaxy S8 or Any Phone, Enjoy!


The optimum design is to have a pump circulating the pond water from the lowest level up to the top of the pond and allowing it to run down to the bottom of the pond. This assists greatly with aeration, the design has to be carefully planned to ensure that the levels are correct. Ponds have to be made sufficiently deep to ensure that there is enough depth to allow ducks to dive, which they enjoy doing. The ponds shown in the photo below consisted of a series of four ponds. These were constructed on flattish ground so soil taken from the lower ponds was used to raise the level of the other ponds.
The edges are held in place with sandbags and wire mesh is laid into the pond shape and held down with strong wire pegs. It is wise to place a few small stones here and there over the surface of the pond before laying the wire mesh to raise the mesh slightly here and there, which ensures that the mesh becomes embedded into the concrete as it is laid. Concrete is then mixed and laid into the pond. A final plaster coating containing waterproofing mix is applied to the pond surface. Ensure that the edges are not too high or sharp. At certain points the edge should be created with a gentle gradient slope with a scored surface consisting of shallow horizontal lines at these exit points to give the ducks traction when climbing out of the pond.
Before introducing ducks into your pond plant sufficient vegetation to give the ducks shade, but not too much as this makes them difficult to catch and view. Duck boxes must also be placed in the enclosure to allow ducks to nest. I this picture you can see pockets have been created to enable the planting of water plants here and there around the edge of the water.
While the vegetation is being planted fill the ponds and allow the water to circulate for a few days as this will allow the cement to cure and will also assist in removing any unwanted pollutants from the water.
When we started a collection of exotic ducks some years ago we decided to have a high density of ducks per pen area. In order to do this we realized that static pond water would soon became fouled and unsuitable. Emptying and refilling was not an option due to the periodic shortages of water (we have our own boreholes, but water from these has to be conserved in the dry season). It was essential to filter it in some way or other.
Research was started on the best method of doing this. The initial options we investigated were around the filters used in large koi fish farms, however, the start-up cost of this equipment exceeded what we were willing to expend. As a first attempt we constructed mechanical filters in large plastic drums where the water passed through plastic filter media. This is appropriate for smaller ponds but not for a larger ponds. It also had the disadvantage of having to remove the filters and clean them regularly.
Finally we designed and built a "natural" bio-filter system that consisted of a large trench dug into the ground in which a number of chambers were constructed; these were filled with coarse media such as rocks and stones or pre-washed rubble to a certain height and then filled with plants. A pump was placed in the last chamber of the filter and water pumped to the top of the series of ponds which lay at a slightly higher level than the bio-filter and gravity fed back to the pump.
Once this was resolved we never looked back, and these filter trenches have been in use for the last three years and keep the water clear and clean. They also look good because of the plant growth. The picture above shows a bio-filter containing papyrus grass which grows prolifically and we have found that this plant provides the most efficient filtration system.
With this problem solved we expanded our duck pens and our exotic duck stock.
NOTE: The two viewing the pond are NOT part of our exotic duck stock but visitors that dropped by!


Congratulations to Sally and Brandon upon their marriage!
Just lovely... and what a perfect setting!
Oh congratulations. . .the pictures are so lovely. What a special time for your family. .blessings.
Oh, so lovely!!! Wonderful photographs and setting. Beautiful couple!
What a beautiful bride! Love her dress...it looks vintage and darling. The weather cooperated I see...always nice! May the couple enjoy many, many happy years together!
Such a beautiful wedding - in a spectacular setting! I'm so happy for them - and for you. Thank you for sharing the photos.
The wedding looks picture perfect and the bride is beautiful!
Looks like it was very lovely. Congratulations to all!!
Yes, congratulations! How wonderful to have the addition of Sally to your family.
What a busy summer you have had and a new larger family!
Congratulations! They look so lovely together! Wow.
Are you folks all rested up yet? I am imagining that you all have used this post-wedding time to recoup and regroup from all the excitement. Hope that it has meant time at the cabin with lots of autumnal delights.
What a beautiful day for a wonderful couple. I wish them much happiness.
Congratulations to your son and new daughter-in-law. Wishing God's very best blessings upon their marriage! They make a very handsome couple.
Congratulations to them both ad a long and happy marriage too!


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Home » Non-English with Subtitles » Out Stealing Horses 2019 with English Subtitles
Out Stealing Horses 2019 with English Subtitles
Out Stealing Horses 2019 with English Subtitles quantity
Category: Non-English with Subtitles
Out Stealing Horses 2019
Ut og stjxc3xa6le hester (original title)
12 | 2h 3min | Drama, Mystery | 2020 (USA)
November 1999: 67-year-old Trond (Stellan Skarsgxc3xa5rd), lives in self-imposed isolation and looks forward to welcoming in the new millennium alone. As winter arrives he meets one of his few neighbors, Lars (Bjxc3xb8rn Floberg), and realizes he knew him back in the summer of 1948. 1948 – the year Trond turned 15. The summer Trond grew up. OUT STEALING HORSES is based on the bestselling novel by Norwegian author Per Petterson, which received several important international awards and was included in The New York Times '10 Best Books of 2007 (Fiction)'. Petterson's novels have been translated into more than 50 languages.
Out stealing horses (Ut xc3xa5 stjxc3xa6le hester) is a very careful adaption of the very successful novel with the same name by Norwegian author Per Petterson, a novel which have solid millions in at least 50 languages. The film won the silver bear in The Berlin International film Festival.
Let this be said up front: if you're not up to watching a slow storytelling, and not able to sense the small and careful waves of air, glimmers of sun and the wet sensation of rain woven into the nostalgia here, this film will not be for you. You need to be completely at ease when watching, otherwise the film will feel very slow.
Hans Petter Moland has made a film true to the poetic and nostalgic tone of the book, which tells the story about a newly pensioned man, in grieve after the loss of his wife, moving out in the remote countryside, not too far from where he have had childhood memories. The he randomly meets a neighbor which he realizes he must have known some 50 years back. This brings back a lot of forgotten memories from the past. Memories of fondness and great tragedy.
The film is slo and thoughtful, with a stark nostalgic thread, but also a tiny fracture of humor. The film is very sensible, with a lot of thoughts put into photography, with pictures of grass and wind. The film is narrated by the mans telling voice, which in this case adds to the feeling of storytelling. A work of art of a film!
Director: Hans Petter Moland
Writers: Hans Petter Moland (screenplay), Per Petterson (novel)
Stars: Stellan Skarsgxc3xa5rd, Bjxc3xb8rn Floberg, Tobias Santelmann
Country: Norway | Sweden | Denmark
Language: Norwegian | Swedish
Release Date: 2020 (USA)
Also Known As: Out Stealing Horses
Out Stealing Horses (2019)
123 min|Drama, Mystery|08 Mar 2019
6.7Rating: 6.7 / 10 from 1,272 users
A grieving widower moves to the country where a chance encounter rekindles memories from his past.
Creator: Hans Petter Moland (screenplay), Per Petterson (novel)
Actors: Stellan Skarsgxc3xa5rd, Bjxc3xb8rn Floberg, Tobias Santelmann, Danica Curcic
3 reviews for Out Stealing Horses 2019 with English Subtitles
NO DVD received
ramon cortes-agostini (verified owner) – July 29, 2020
Indrek Põllu (verified owner) – June 12, 2022
Picture stops in some places& sound continues.Crap!!!!!!!!!
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Display is of key importance when setting up a cheese counter. Try using whole cheese as the base of your display and then offer a selection of smaller cuts of the same cheese on top. People love to see the whole cheeses but having cut pieces also is very important as a lot of cheeses don't look too inspiring from the outside and its only when you cut into the cheeses that the customers can see the texture, how blue, or runny the cheese is.
How you present the cheese should be your priority, make full use of the front of the counter as that is where your customers will look first. Cheeses stored at the back of your counter can be easily overlooked, so make sure you don't have smaller cheeses displayed behind bigger cheeses at the front. This may sound silly but routinely check your display from your customer's perspective from the front of the counter, remember the display will look very different when you're serving behind it.
Grouping your cheeses is very important. You should keep your blue cheese, ewes milk, goats milk, semi-soft and hard cheese together so customer can quickly identify the type of cheese they are wanting and see the variety of cheese available with each type.
It certainly helps having a theme in you counter. Viewing your cheese selection should be an enjoyable and speedy experience. Everything should be neatly arranged and labelled with easy to read description and prices. Having a clear theme will help the customers to make their choices easily and also promote new and exciting offerings they may not have originally wanted to try. Why not display your cheese on straw matting or even slate, small things like this can make a biggest difference.
You should always have two cutting boards to hand, one for pasteurised cheese and one for unpasteurised.
Help your customers by offer advice from the begin to help them choose.
Keep your counter clean and organised, no one will want to buy from a dirty cluttered counter!
Invest in good quality wax paper to wrap your customers cheese and why not seal the paper with a sticker with your company's logo on, before you know it people are proudly sharing their purchase and your company's logo on social media.
Always speak to your suppliers about POS and sampling support, don't underestimate how effective it can be to offer the customer a taster of new or promotional products.
We also recommend our customers display prices per 100g rather than the kilo, remember that price is always a big factor to a person's decision to go through with a purchase, £3.25 per 100g is physiologically better than £32.50 per kilo.
Avoid overloading your counter with such a vast range that it is overwhelming for the customer to choose from.
Do not rush when writing you deli tags for each product, make sure the writing is legible, simple and easy to read.


A lot of of developers got started with Minitest during the past few years because of Minitest::Spec. Particularly in the case of seasoned RSpec users, the API and syntax of spec-style testing have provided a smoother transition between the two tools and enabled them to leverage all the experience and habits they've built up over the years. Yesterday's release of Minitest 5.6.0 brought some important changes to the framework, and even though your existing tests will keep on working as they always have, you'll want to pay attention to avoid unpleasant surprises in the future. This post explains what you should expect and why it's happening.
If you're already a Minitest::Spec user, you know how the syntax works. Instead of calling assertion methods within your test, the framework monkeypatches expectation methods directly into Module, and you define expectations directly on the object under test as shown here.
The latest version introduces a new Minitest::Expectation class that exposes all the familiar expectation methods and wraps the object under test. You'll be able to create a new instance of the class using the _ (underscore) method or one of the two aliases defined for it - expect or value.
The fact that expectations have been patched directly into core objects has been a source of (mostly unjustified) gripes for years now, and while this change resolves those complaints, they weren't the reason for it. To understand that, we need to look at how an assertion becomes an expectation.
As I outlined in Customizing Minitest Assertions and Expectations a few months back, every expectation has an assertion underlying it, and every assertion is an instance method of Minitest::Test, and the framework provided the infect_an_assertion method to map the old assertion method to the new expectation method.
In each case, invoking an expectation ultimately calls an assertion (with the name meth) on the currently running instance of Minitest::Spec. This method is just an accessor for a thread-local variable that holds a reference to each Minitest::Spec instance within Thread where it runs, but without that reference, there's no target for the assertion method call.
This approach works just fine in most cases, but it has a tendency to blow up when the test needs to create a new Thread and attempts to run expectations within it.
The first expectation above passes as expected because it executes within a Thread that has access to the thread-local variable. The second expectation, however, executes within the newly created Thread which doesn't have access to that reference since thread-local variables are not copied from parent Threads to children. As a result, Minitest::Spec.current returns nil, and the subsequent call to the related assertion (assert_equal in this case) raises a NoMethodError.
The new version of infect_an_assertion addresses the problem by using a new instance of the Minitest::Expectation class as an intermediary between the expectation and the assertion so that there's always a consistent reference back to the current spec.
The changes will be phased in over time and across several releases. Right now, using the old syntax doesn't produce any deprecation warnings, so you'll have some time to get used to the change. Some time before version 6.0 drops, the old syntax will be deprecated and the monkeypatches on Module will be removed, so if you've got a lot of Minitest suites, it might be a good idea to get started on the conversions sooner than later.
Whether you're using the new syntax or the old though, the underlying implementation will change, and it's clear that this new approach will cause more objects to be instantiated in order to run the same tests. Since a lot of Minitest's edge over competitors in performance and memory usage has been the result of creating fewer instances, we may start to see some erosion of that advantage, though the differences probably won't be significant for most test suites.
The Big Lebowski - You haven't seen this!?! Stop whatever you're doing and go watch it.


What does Independent Living in Detroit, MI, have to offer you and your loved one?
Independent living community has different living options including Senior Villages, Senior Apartments, Active Adult Communities, Affordable Senior Housing (HUD), Retirement Communities and Continuing Care Retirement Community.
Within independent living communities senior's have the flexibility to determine their daily life schedules. Residents may also have access to different amenities such as housekeeping, laundry services, counseling and social outings. In certain communities amenities and services require an additional monthly charge. Residents are also expected to be in good health, as healthcare services are not provided in Independent Living communities.
Detroit is one of the most populous cities in the state of Michigan. Detroit is also the largest city on the United States-Canadian with a population nearing 700,000. Other cities that area near Detroit include Dearborn Heights, Hamtramck, Southfield, Eastpointe, MI and much more. As a major city their are many things to in Detroit such as visiting Detroit Institute of Arts, Belle Isle Park, Comerica Park, MGM Grand Detroit and much more. The city of Detroit, MI will surely provide for you and your loved one.


Mr. Kleinschumacher and his son were met by Dr. Jose L. Bacumso, VSU President, at the Daniel Z. Romualdez Airport in Tacloban City on June 4 before they came to VSU the following day.
Prior to their coming to VSU, Dr. (H.C.) Claus-Peter Hutter, President of NatureLife-International based in Germany who has a strong and long-term partnership with VSU, sent an introductory letter to Dr. Bacusmo about the visit. In his letter, Dr. Hutter informed Dr. Bacusmo the possibility of how Help Alliance could possibly assist VSU and the Baybay Rainforestation Foundation after the terrible typhoon Haiyan/Yolanda.
A major component of Mr. Kleinschumacher's VSU visit was the monitoring of the on-going project on "Super Typhoon Yolanda Rehabilitation Project in Selected School and University Buildings in Leyte, Philippines" with Dr. Roberto C. Guarte as the Project Leader, and the Rainforestation Project. Both projects are funded by the Help Alliance of Lufthansa and NatureLife-International as principal donors.
Help Alliance is Lufthansa's aid initiative founded in 1999 by employees from all parts of the Lufthansa Group. The organization supports projects in developing countries which have the objective of securing the people lead an independent life. The focal points of the humanitarian activities are food and health programmes, schools, training centers, business start-ups, and street children projects. In addition, the organization also provides disaster relief.
While at VSU, the visitors were toured around the campus by Prof. Alan B. Loreto, Executive Officer, and had an overview about the University and a glimpse of the different offices, departments, colleges, and research centers which underwent major repairs after the wrath of Super Typhoon Yolanda on November 8, 2013.
In the evening, the guests had a dinner at the VSU Guesthouse together with Dr. Bacusmo and Dr. Roberto C. Guarte, VP for Administration and Finance, and talked about the different initiatives undertaken by the University with financial support from the Lufthansa-Help Alliance. The plan for the next two days project sites visitation was also finalized.
During the first day on-site visit, the guests were accompanied by Dr. Guarte and Dr. Paciencia P. Milan, former VSU President, to six (6) out of 18 recipient elementary schools in Albuera, Leyte in the morning, and four (4) out of 14 recipient elementary schools in Baybay City in the afternoon that were repaired by the project after the schools were destroyed by the Super Typhoon Yolanda.
In the second day on-site project visit, Dr. Milan accompanied the guests to two (2) rainforestation sites in Palo, Leyte—one in Sitio Kauswagan with Lufthansa as the principal donor, and one in Barangay Barayong with Allianz as the principal donor.
Mr. Kleinschumacher's visit to VSU also paved the way for further rainforestation activities between VSU and Lufthansa to support livelihood improvement, climate protection, poverty prevention and nature conservation in cooperation with NatureLife-International.


text:
Land der Berge, Land am Strome (Terra de Muntanyes, Terra de Rius) és l'himne nacional d'Àustria. Va ser escrit per Paula von Preradovic, adaptant la melodia de la KV 623 "Eine Kleine Freimaurer Kantata" (Petita cantata masònica) composta per Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart el 17 de novembre de 1791. Va ser declarat oficial el 1947.

Himne
Land der Berge, Land am Strome (alemany)

Land der Berge, Land am Strome,
Land der Äcker, Land der Dome,
Land der Hämmer zukunftsreich!
Heimat bist du großer Söhne,
Volk begnadet für das Schöne,
Vielgerühmtes Österreich,
Vielgerühmtes Österreich!

Heiß umfehdet, wild umstritten,
Liegst dem Erdteil du inmitten
Einem starken Herzen gleich.
Hast seit frühen Ahnentagen
Hoher Sendung Last getragen,
Vielgeprüftes Österreich,
Vielgeprüftes Österreich.

Mutig in die neuen Zeiten,
Frei und gläubig sieh uns schreiten,
Arbeitsfroh und hoffnungsreich.
Einig laß in Bruderchören,
Vaterland, dir Treue schwören.
Vielgeliebtes Österreich,
Vielgeliebtes Österreich.

Himnes nacionals
Composicions en mi bemoll major
Música d'Àustria
Cançons en alemany


text:
Chitral News
Published Regularly Since 2003
My Idea
About Chitral
Public Can Now Buy & Sell Foreign Currencies from Bank Branches
Published on: 23/07/2019 | Comments: 1 comment
The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has enhanced the scope of business for banks through its branches, allowing to do business in foreign currencies across the country.
This decision is aimed at regulating the foreign currency exchange and documentation of buyers and sellers of the foreign currencies through a sophisticated manner to reduce leakages in the system.
The public at large usually purchases or sales foreign currencies through various exchange companies while some hotels are given a restricted license to facilitate foreign tourists in meeting their demand for local or foreign currency.
Previously, the banks were not allowed to sell or buy foreign currencies directly from the public except those which had their own exchange companies. The central bank?s decision was revealed in the revised rules of business for foreign exchange dealing in the updated chapters of Foreign Exchange (FE) Manual.
Banks were also told to ensure availability of foreign currencies to sell it to the public.
It is the responsibility of the authorised dealers to ensure adequate foreign currency is available in their authorised branches at all times to meet the requirements of their customers, read the manual.
Exchange Companies Afraid of New Competition
The SBP did not say anything regarding the existence or future role of exchange companies but such companies feel threatened with the latest development.
Currency dealers have said that allowing banks to conduct day-to-day currency business with the general public means there is no need for exchange companies.
?I personally know that some high officials in the government are willing to close down the exchange companies as they hold them responsible for financial indiscipline,? said Secretary General Exchange Companies Association of Pakistan Zafar Paracha.
He said that amendments in the manual are clear indications that exchange companies are not required in this country. But I must say that the general public will suffer since they easily buy foreign currencies from exchange companies and sell them without hurdles. Banks are unable to take care of millions of people when it comes to buying and selling of foreign currencies, Paracha said, adding that banks will charge higher margins as they do currently.
He said that banks are paid Rs. 12-14 per remittance from abroad while exchange companies provide this service without this cost.
We annually provide $10 to $11 billion to the country which includes import of dollars against other foreign currencies, he said. If exchange companies are closed about 25,000 direct employees will lose their jobs and up to 60 thousand indirectly attached to this business will become unemployed.
Overseas Pakistanis & Foreigners Can Bring Foreign Currency in Pakistan
The SBP has allowed all incoming travelers ? whether Pakistani or foreign national ? to bring foreign currencies to the country without any limit. Foreign currencies and other instruments can be brought after the submission of a declaration to the customs authorities on amounts exceeding $10,000 or equivalent.
Such currencies or instruments may be freely purchased by the Authorised Dealers (banks) against payment in PKR. The authorised dealers may also purchase foreign currencies withdrawn by the account holders from their foreign currency accounts and from the walk-in-customers against payment in PKR subject to the fulfilment of applicable AML/CFT regulations, said the SBP.
.. ?Source
These are the highest paid bank CEOs in Pakistan
Securing the CPEC
Democratic deficit and reform in Pakistan
Appraising the CPEC
One thought on "Public Can Now Buy & Sell Foreign Currencies from Bank Branches"
The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has just issued a clarification that there was no change in instructions regarding the purchase of foreign currency notes by banks who were allowed to deal in international currencies through authorized branches. Pakistan?s exchange companies will continue to play their role in the country?s economy, the statement said.
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© 2003-2021 Chitralnews.com. All Rights Reserved


This is our one of those projects which comes at the beginning of our journey and part of our Ammple Family. The client is running an institute for the preparation of NIFT and other art related exams. First the use of website is limited as an information platform like just the online presence, later on used for news, notifications, addmissions, online exams etc.
We'd also developed two more websites with two other domains and each one has some unique feature than other. This is our one of the starting projects and the client consider ammple as part of their professional family. Now the institute is one of the top destinations (Lucknow)for such students who are looking for their future in the field of art.
The website first developed on pHP platform and later developed in wordpress as a fully dynamic one. Number of additional features added time to time as per requested by the client.
There are two more websites developed on wordpress with different domain as per client requirements. Websites developed with SEO, Keywords and Tags for better search results.


text:
Advancements, Alumni, News
Grown in 'Toba: Matt Thiessen
As a 17-year-old goaltender in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League (MJHL), Altona native, Matt Thiessen had a season many soon won't forget.
Thiessen helped backstop his Steinbach Pistons to Turnbull Cup & ANAVET Cup Championships in 2017-18 as a rookie, before his incredible season was capped off in June with the NHL Draft where he was selected 192 overall by the Vancouver Canucks.
"Playing in the MJHL really prepared me for the next level because of how intense and competitive the league was," Thiessen shared. "Playing every game was a battle and that is why I enjoyed it so much. Especially heading into the playoffs and having seven game series it gives it a pro feel and makes every game so important. Overall the league was great for me to develop on and off the ice, it also helps you get involved in the community."
In between earning an invitation to the Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL) Top Prospects Game and being named an MJHL First-Team & Rookie-Team All-star, Thiessen committed to play NCAA Division I Hockey for the University of Maine Black Bears where he recently completed his freshman season.
Thiessen's experience in the MJHL is also one he soon won't forget as he credits the league for providing him the chance to develop in an elite environment.
"It's a great opportunity and a great league that makes you a better player on the ice because of how competitive and fast the league is. It grows you in so many ways and you have so much fun with all the guys coming together and being part of a tight bond. Playing in the MJHL gives you opportunities to go anywhere, if its the WHL or college/university, this league is a great league for anyone," Thiessen concluded.
Grown in 'Toba: Michael Ladyman
Doyle and Russell commit to university hockey


Plan a trip to Ontario's Niagara region, and your list may include the iconic Falls (top photo credit), world-class theater at the Shaw Festival, fine dining inspired by the region's orchards, most definitely a wine tasting, especially Niagara's famous ice-wine.
Visitors have another way to taste the fruit of those vines in a most unexpected way. BestTrip.TV's Lynn Elmhirst Meets the Maker: Master Distiller Geoff Dillon.
Local small-batch distiller Dillon's Unfiltered Gin 22 is a true product of Niagara: grape-based, and enhanced by the flavors of 22 other botanicals. Silky smooth, intriguingly complex, using it, my simple gin and tonic was reborn as a sophisticated summer sipper.
But wait… a grape based gin?
Unfiltered Gin 22 is one of three signature spirits Dillon's launched when they opened their Niagara-region distillery in 2012, along with their Method 95 Vodka, White Rye, and a line of 6 bitters.
Only a year after opening, all three spirits were awarded medals (bronze, silver, and gold respectively) at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, 'the highest you can go' says proud Master Distiller Geoff Dillon, who seems bashful about such rapid success.
Dillon's is riding the concurrent waves of a cocktail revolution and the local and crafted food movement. But Geoff attributes innovation – a willingness to experiment to make unique products, like gin from grapes instead of grains – to the attention their spirits and bitters are attracting.
That innovation is at the heart of the Dillon's distillery. Geoff's father, Peter, is the botanical expert and experimenter. It's a natural extension for the environmental chemist and life-long 'foodie'.
Geoff started a career in finance, but then took a fork in the road to attend the esteemed Artisan Distilling Program at Michigan State University and study with whisky distillers in Scotland in preparation for launching Dillon's.
To craft their award-winning spirits, the father-son team combines the benefits of old school pot stills with modern technology – and source the best ingredients.
Niagara – best known for its wine -- was the 'ideal' place to launch a small-batch distillery. Fruit, grapes and botanicals can all be sourced locally.
The grapes they distill come from growers who have surplus. Dillon's and local vintners are mutually supportive in other ways too. There's long-established wine tourism in the Niagara region. Existing local wineries have embraced the 'new kid on the block'. Dillon's and wineries send visitors to each other, and the result is an even richer Niagara wine and spirits experience.
With its stylishly designed tasting room and stacks of ageing barrels, Dillon's is right at home among the area's scenic vineyards. If you drop by for a distillery tour and tasting, you may well get to meet Geoff yourself. He often conducts the tours.
'I love the tours, having so much fun with people, educating them… most people don't even truly know what a distillery IS! It blows people away every time!
Dillon's shared a couple of their favorite cocktail recipes. I added my own tips and serving recommendations to complete your taste-of-Niagara cocktail party.
Over ice, combine Dillon's Unfiltered Gin 22, pear puree, simple syrup, and lemon juice in a cocktail shaker. Shake until chilled. Pour into a highball or rocks glass. Top with a small splash of sparkling wine or soda water and garnish with rosemary.
Combine in a saucepan over low heat. When it reaches a boil, remove from heat and let sit for 30 minutes. Strain into a jar and store in the refrigerator. Should make enough for approximately 5 cocktails.
Slice the pears and combine with lemon juice and rosemary in a blender. Blend until smooth; gently strain mixture through a fine-mesh sieve and discard any solids. You will have roughly 1 cup of puree, which makes about 5 cocktails.
Tip: the puree can be frozen in an ice cube tray and then stored in an airtight contained in the freezer to be used for individual cocktails in the future.
Serve this cocktail with room temperature brie and toasted walnuts drizzled with local honey; a magical combination with pear!
Combine cider, bitters, and spices in a pot on the stove; bring to a simmer and keep on low.
Pour 1 ½ oz Dillon's White Rye per serving into 4 favorite mugs or cocktail glasses and fill with the mulled cider. Garnish with an apple slice and serve.
Tip: Cut thin discs of apples through the center – equator – of an apple. The resulting slice features the lovely star shaped centre of the apple core.
Serve on game night with a casual supper of ribbons of ham, sliced apples, and Vidalia onions all sauteed together with salt and pepper on fresh buns smeared with coarse mustard.
Regal Cruises and Travel will help you plan your trip to Niagara Falls.


On Sunday, the officers grabbed onto each other's belts to rescue the 33-year-old man who had gone into the water to save his dog near Foster Beach.
"We didn't talk about it, we just kind of did it," said CPD Sgt. Alex Silva during a Monday press conference.
A witness called 911 at about 1 p.m. saying that she thought someone was in the water. The man was able to rescued the dog — a 19-pound American Eskimo mix puppy named Pika — but it was more tricky for the man to get out as the shore wall was covered in ice.


Hotel Monterey Edelhof Sapporo is conveniently located in the popular Sapporo Station area. The hotel offers guests a range of services and amenities designed to provide comfort and convenience. Restaurant, Wi-Fi in public areas, smoking area, safety deposit boxes, car park are on the list of things guests can enjoy. Guestrooms are fitted with all the amenities you need for a good night's sleep. In some of the rooms, guests can find shower, internet access – LAN (complimentary), in room safe, television LCD/plasma screen, air conditioning. Enjoy the hotel's recreational facilities, including sauna, massage, spa, before retiring to your room for a well-deserved rest. Hotel Monterey Edelhof Sapporo combines warm hospitality with a lovely ambiance to make your stay in Sapporo unforgettable.


1.	Pulse flour, salt, and sugar in workbowl of food processor fitted with steel blade. Scatter butter pieces over flour mixture, tossing to coat with flour. Cut butter into flour with five 1-second pulses. Add shortening and continue cutting in until flour is pale yellow and resembles coarse cornmeal with butter bits no larger than small peas, about four more 1-second pulses. Turn mixture into medium bowl.
2.	Sprinkle 4 tablespoons ice water over mixture. With blade of rubber spatula, use folding motion to mix. Press down on mixture with broad side of spatula until dough sticks together, adding up to 1 tablespoon more ice water if it will not come together. Shape dough into ball, squeezing two to three times with hands until cohesive, then flatten into 4-inch-wide disk. Dust lightly with flour. Wrap in plastic and refrigerate at least 30 minutes, or up to 2 days, before rolling.
3.	Remove dough from refrigerator; let stand at room temperature to soften slightly, about 10 minutes or about 20 minutes if it has chilled overnight. The dough should be pliable. Use your hands to squeeze the dough; if you can squeeze it without applying too much pressure, it is ready to roll. Roll dough on lightly floured work surface to a 12-inch disk about 1/8 inch thick. Fold dough in quarters then place dough point in center of pie pan. Unfold dough.
4.	Working around circumference of pan, press dough carefully into pan by gently lifting dough edges with one hand while pressing around pan bottom with other hand. Trim edges to 1/2 inch beyond pan lip. Tuck this rim of dough underneath itself so that folded edge is about 1/4 inch beyond pan lip. Flute dough in your own fashion. Refrigerate pie shell for 40 minutes and then freeze for 20 minutes.
5.	Meanwhile, adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 375 degrees. Press doubled 12-inch square of aluminum foil inside dough shell; evenly distribute 1 cup of 12 ounce ceramic or metal pie weights over foil. Bake, leaving foil and weights in place until dough dries out, about 17 minutes. Carefully remove foil by pulling up and out. For partially baked crust, continue baking until lightly golden brown, about 9 minutes more; for fully baked crust, continue baking until deep golden brown, about 15 minutes more. Transfer to wire rack to cool as directed in individual recipes.


text:
Borderzine (https://borderzine.com/author/shane/)
Shane Hamm
For Isaac Perez the football may be out of sight, but not out of mind
By Shane Hamm | December 13, 2012
EL PASO — It's third down and eight and wide receiver Isaac Perez needs to make a play for the Burges High School football team. He just hopes he can see the ball. For Perez, the play won't be just pitch-and-catch like it is for any other player. Catching the ball and running for the touchdown is a process of complex decisions that are made from the moment of the snap, to the instant the ball leaves the quarterbacks' hand. Perez has to twist his body so that his right side faces the incoming pass.
Anguish and abuse define the life of a young El Paso prostitute
By Shane Hamm | November 2, 2012
EL PASO – The young woman has a frail frame, thin from a lack of food and an appetite for cocaine, black hair shaved on the sides, two silver rings piercing her bottom lip and tattoos on her arms and legs. Jackie, a 27-year-old prostitute doesn't touch the wads of bills folded up on a dresser in a hotel room on Mesa Street. A friend will pick that up before she has sex with the man who made the payment, an average American guy, five-feet-10-inches tall, normal build. He was looking for sex, but she gave him more than that. He also received kind words and support from Jackie, who believes it her job to provide something more to the men who come to her.
MMA, previously banned sport now popular among children
By Shane Hamm | October 5, 2012
EL PASO – The two boys wrestling on a padded mat inside a chain-link cage barely tall enough to ride the teacups at Disneyland grab at each other, one grasping the other's leg leaving himself vulnerable as his opponent throws him off-balance. The sensei or master stops the action after the new student with the structural integrity of his elbow in jeopardy gives a tap of his hand in submission. This is the sport of children's mixed martial arts or MMA, a new trend in this fast growing sport with children less than 10 years of age strapping on gloves and shin guards in order to pummel one another. While the sport for children in this age group looks like organized rough-housing, their goal is to defeat the opponent utilizing hand to hand combat techniques from muai thai, kick-boxing, wrestling and boxing. Cynthia Baca looks on as her six-year-old son Mason engages in a contact sport played behind a caged wall.


The West Wing series was a 60 minute political drama on NBC about the daily operation of the West Wing of the White House. Difficult choices that had to be made by the President and his staff were examined. Their attempts at managing their personal lives while doing a job that demanded nearly all of their attentions was also an interesting aspect of the series. And, perhaps most entertaining, is the conflict that arose between the liberal Democratically run West Wing and its conservative Republican opposition in Congress.
There actually was a Josiah Bartlett in real-life. He was a member of the Second Continental Congress from New Hampshire and he even signed the Declaration of Independence! According to the West Wing plotline, he is an ancestor of President Josiah Bartlett!
Originally, Martin Sheen was only supposed to appear in 4 episodes of the West Wing TV show per season. Luckily for we fans, he became a regular cast member.
There were several other big name stars considered for the role of the president on the West Wing. Among them were Alan Alda (M*A*S*H), Sidney Poitier and Jason Robards.
The West Wing's oval office set is the same one that you saw in the 1995 movie, "The American President".
On October 3, 2001, a special presentation of The West Wing was broadcast in reaction to the September 11th terrorist attacks on New York City and Washington D.C. It was the first drama series to air a special episode, totally based on the attack (meaning that the other ongoing plotlines of the series were ignored for that episode). In order to present the show on a timely basis, there were only a couple of weeks between the time that the script began production and the time that the episode aired!
Perhaps you remember the strange story that Leo told on a West Wing episode about President Andrew Jackson getting a huge block of cheese as a gift. That story is actually true! The people of New York gave it to him. It sat in the White House food lockers untouched for two years and then was given away again to the citizens of Washing D.C. as a George Washington's birthday celebration gift. The hungry citizens consumed the cheese within two hours!
Thank you for visiting our The West Wing page!


Welcome to Blogmas! It officially December and I am very excited to share lots of Christmas content with you, so just a quick heads up if you didn't already know, I am doing my Entirely Christmas series over on my YouTube channel and I am also doing vlogmas on my vlog channel, first video goes up tomorrow, and was filmed today. Today I wanted to share with you a little bucket list for the month of December to give you an idea of what things you might be looking forward to in vlogmas and what I might be getting up to this month.
First up this year I want to go to a garden centre. Now this sounds a little boring really, as I do go to a few garden centres now and again, but the one I want to go to is huge. My husband has done some work for a garden centre a little way from where we live, but he says it is well worth the travel to get there and I will love it. Now he did the work in the summer so he hasn't seen the area of Christmas stuff, however he has seen the section they cornered off for it and apparently I am in for a treat!
Obviously it wouldn't be December without a trip to a Christmas market, would it? I love Christmas markets and while I am not sure which ones we will be going to this year I am excited to have a look round a few of them and get some inspiration and just enjoy the festive shopping experience. I want to go festive ice skating this year, wrapped up warm and outdoor skating, I can't wait! I love ice skating and my dream is to be on Dancing On Ice, so BBC, hit me up?! But yeah, I'm not great at ice skating and could do with a crash course, but by all means I am not the worst, I just love it. I also find that the ice rinks tend to be at Christmas markets so grouping them together seemed logical!
Dark nights are instantly made cosier with the sea of Christmas lights which can be seen, and I love driving by and seeing them all. I have to say, the light switch on events are always in November, so I can't add them to my December bucket list, but driving by the houses and taking mini detours on our way home to find the best lights in the area is definitely fun!
I am always up for late night shopping, grabbing a festive drink and having a look around the shops to find the best gifts is one of my favourite things to do. I usually go with my mum to look for what we want to get, and I always have a nice evening shopping and chatting. I love having a little shopping trip to make sure I have got what I need for everyone for their Christmas presents and maybe a little treat for me too!
Lastly on my list is to watch Christmas movies, now this sounds obvious, and I have to admit I always watch Christmas movies this time of year, but things like the new Grinch movie, the Nutcracker. For non Christmas movies I want to see Ralph breaks the Internet and the new Mary Poppins film too. I think through December we will try to go to the cinema a few times to see a few different things as it is a lovely evening out. We also have the 2 for 1 meerkat movies tickets so that makes it even more affordable!
I would love to know what you are getting up to this month to give me a hint of inspiration and to keep me busy through vlogmas!


text:
MP Services
Puslinch receives Canada 150 Community Infrastructure Funding
PUSLINCH, ON – Lloyd Longfield, on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for FedDev Ontario, today announced that the Township of Puslinch will receive federal funding in the amount of $75,000 for improvements to the Aberfoyle Baseball diamond .
This project is one of over 350- Canada 150 Community Infrastructure Program (CIP 150) projects approved in southern Ontario under the program's second intake. The Canada 150 Community Infrastructure Program is being delivered by regional development agencies across the country to celebrate Canada's 150th anniversary of Confederation in 2017.
With the addition of $44.4 million in supplementary funding announced in Budget 2016, the total CIP 150 allocation for southern Ontario, being delivered by FedDev Ontario, is up to $88.8 million. Over 730 projects have been approved under both intakes.
The program supports the renovation, expansion and improvement of existing community and cultural infrastructure, including projects that support the Government's priorities to provide a better future for indigenous peoples and promote a clean growth economy.
The improvements to the Aberfoyle Baseball Diamond on Brock Road are in conjunction with the Township of Puslinch and will allow for new lighting and bleachers to be constructed.
"Through Canada 150 Community Infrastructure Program we are preserving and improving our community infrastructure so that Canadians and their families can enjoy recreation and leisure activities together. I am pleased to see the Township of Puslinch and Aberfoyle benefitting from this project".
Lloyd Longfield, Member of Parliament for Guelph
"I am delighted that Puslinch Township has received the funding necessary to undertake this project. Sports fields provide important recreational spaces for residents of all ages to participate in organized sports and community events in Puslinch. Investments like this will continue to provide recreational opportunities in our community for years to come."
Michael Chong, Member of Parliament for Wellington Halton Hills
"We are very pleased to receive a funding contribution in the amount of $75,000 for new lights and bleachers for the Aberfoyle Baseball Diamond. This will enhance the future use and enjoyment of the Puslinch Community Centre grounds
Mayor Dennis Lever
Lianne Cassidy
Office of Lloyd Longfield
Lloyd.Longfield.c1@parl.gc.ca
Leave Me Your Thoughts, Questions or Concerns
© 2020 Lloyd Longfield


This week, I was sent an enthusiastic email from someone encouraging me, as a vegan, to give the 'Entovegan lifestyle' a go.
It was, they promised me, the most sustainable option out there and one that all eco-conscious vegans should consider switching to.
Turns out that 'Entovegan' means being plant-based while eating insects. Entomophagy is the practice of eating insects - their eggs, larvae, pupae and adults.
Josh is the founder of Entovegan and he says that his company was born out of 'a personal exploration of a plant-based lifestyle, giving up meat, but adding insects and insect-based protein and products, and as I've set out on this journey I've found there are already many people around the world who practice some form of the entovegan (or entotarian) lifestyle'.
"I've eaten relatively healthy my whole life, and very healthy as an adult. But one 'diet' I'd never tried was going full-on vegan. When I did (in May 2017), the positive changes that I saw in my body and mental focus were so incredible, that I decided to stick with it and stay a vegan…with a twist.
"The last couple years I've become fond of eating insects while living in SE Asia, and I truly believe that entomphagy is the future of food. So I started researching the 'why' behind veganism and the strict 'no animals or animal products' guidelines, and realized that philosophically, there's actually no rational basis for vegans to NOT eat insects."
Does 'veganism' have the power to mean all things to all people?
Surely veganism, at its very least, is the principle that we shouldn't consume any animal products. Surely...bugs are animals? I can't imagine any vegan actively wanting to eat a cricket - let alone a sack of insect bugs.
Josh seemed to have totally missed the point, to say the least.
But he's not the only one to use the term 'vegan' to describe something totally different to what many of us believe it means.
'Veggans' are 'vegans' who eat eggs.
Back in 2012, Ellen DeGeneres said that while she's an 'ethical vegan', she eats the eggs of her neighbour's backyard hen.
Nutritionist Rick Hay is also veggan for health reasons, with some ethics thrown in.
He told the Telegraph: "I like the philosophy and health benefits of veganism, but I like to add extra protein into my diet, so I choose organic, free-range eggs."
Some of us will go out of our way to swat mosquitoes (anyone who has lived in a malaria-ridden country will have zero sympathy for the blighters!), while others will try their hardest not to inflict harm on anything sentient.
But mosquitoes and midges are another world from bugs...and defending yourself against being bitten and potentially being made ill isn't the same as actively cultivating insects to eat them.
Around 3.5 million of us are vegan in the UK now - and that number is ever-growing. There are big green bucks to be made in the plant-based industry these days, and it makes sense that brands want a slice of that ethical pie.
The UK market for meat-free foods was worth £572m in 2017, according to market researchers Mintel - up from £539m just two years before. That figure is predicted to rise to £658m by 2021.
But that's leaving the term veganism open to being watered down.
Ditching dairy seems to be pretty standard these days, with more and more people becoming wary of the use of antibiotics and hormones in the production of milk. Lots of folk are actively asking for almond, coconut or oat milk in their lattes.
But, they still eat meat or fish. I, myself, know people who'll describe themselves as "mainly vegan...just eating meat a few times a week".
While that's obviously great that people are consuming fewer animal products in general, it does kind of suggest that the term 'vegan' is losing its meaning.
Should it be an umbrella term for reductionism?
Is it something that can and should mean something to everyone who chooses to use it?
I bet most hardened vegans would say emphatically, no.
It's not just a lifestyle, it's a philosophy. You can't go around saying you're "kinda utilitarian", for example. You're either utilitarian (i.e you believe that anything is permissible if it's for the greater good), or you're not. It's absolute - you're either for or against.
The fact that veganism is protected as a human right under Article 9 of the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights indicates that it's more than just a diet or lifestyle.
And that's not say it's wrong to be flexitarian...but flexitarian is what you are. Rather than being a game of semantics, it's about protecting something that many of us fundamentally believe in; it's not just a marketing tool.
The fact that brands are so desperate to use the V-label actually is a sign of progress. Veganism is now so mainstream and has attracted so much interest that the only way new things can stay afloat is to tap into it.
But it's a shame if that means we have to compromise over its meaning.
Everyone has their individual boundary. For some of us, a McDonald's burger could never really be vegan because although the patty might be made from veg (and whatever dubious non-animal substances they chuck in), it's still made by one of the least animal animal friendly companies out there. For others, veganism solely refers to the ingredients used.
But one thing most of us will agree on is that the consumption of anything that was a living animal or came out of a living animal, isn't vegan. Cockroach milk, for example, may be 'sustainable' but it's not vegan. Organic eggs aren't vegan. Living off roadkill isn't vegan.
Do us all a favor and find another word.