text:
Gold eyes $2000 mark in speedy record-breaking run
The rally gathered pace in early 2020 as geopolitical tensions rose and the coronavirus outbreak hurt growth worldwide, pushing governments and central banks to unleash vast amounts of stimulus, and sending real rates slumping further into negative territory.
"Gold has rallied sharply in last few days on back of weaker United States dollar, increased geopolitical tensions, rising virus cases strong investor inflows and continuing stimulus measures".
Investors continue pouring in money and bumping up demand to fuel gold rates as the coronavirus pandemic weakens confidence elsewhere.
The spot gold price rose 2.2% on Monday morning, overtaking its previous record from the financial crisis in September 2011, adding to the previous week's gains.
"Gold prices continued its bullish rally and made history finally taking out $1920 driven by escalating tension between U.S. and China and a weaker dollar, while expectations of more stimulus to revive pandemic-hit economics lifted the metals's appeal as an inflation hedge", said analysts at Motilal Oswal Financial Services Ltd. In the US, investor expectations for annual inflation over the next decade, as measured by a bond-market metric known as breakevens, have moved higher the past four months after plunging in March.
Forecasters watch their prices as an indicator of how investors see the economic future.
Bitcoin, the extremely volatile cryptocurrency that some proponents and marketers claim is safe from inflation, has also risen recently, crossing $10,000 for the first time in almost a year. China responded by ordering the closure of the US consulate in the southwestern city of Chengdu.
Bullion's move-which may put it on track to take out $2,000 an ounce-came as a gauge of the dollar sank to the lowest in more than a year amid negative real rates in the USA and bets that the Federal Reserve will keep policy accommodative when it meets this week.
All that has increased uncertainty about the direction of the economy.
Gold surged to a record high on Monday, but the precious metal's ferocious rally will likely run out of steam near $2,000, according to strategists at J.P. Morgan Chase & Co.
US Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin said the package will contain extended unemployment benefits with 70-percent "wage replacement". "And as long as the [virus situation] gets worse, the market is discounting more stimulus for a longer period of time and in bigger quantities, and all of that is bullish for gold", he said.
It's worth remembering during the latest gold rush that Warren Buffett, the billionaire investor and CEO of insurance conglomerate Berkshire Hathaway, has long warned investors against buying gold.
Trump's national security adviser has coronavirus
John Lewis Carried Across Selma Bridge One Last Time
India's second digital strike on China: Union govt bans 47 Chinese apps
Chinese COVID-19 Vaccine Candidate Shows Promise
The investigational vaccine directs the body's cells to express the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein to elicit a broad immune response. Phase 3 trials typically involve thousands of subjects and tests for safety and efficacy.
Confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Waterford revealed
According to figures, 1,089 deaths were seen on June 1-12, while 605 fatalities were recorded during the same period in July. At almost 570,000, Friday and Saturday are by far the highest two-day total for COVID-19 diagnoses yet.
UK announces obesity plan as PM admits weight 'struggle'
The highly interventionist approach marks a U-turn for Mr Johnson, who until recently has been a vocal opponent of " sin taxes " and perceived "nannying" by the state.
Samsung Galaxy M01 Core entry-level smartphone launched in India
Galaxy M01 Core is powered by a quad-core MediaTek 6739 processor and as mentioned above comes in two memory variants. Connectivity choices consist of Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/ n, Bluetooth, GPS/ A-GPS, Micro- USB, and a 3.5 mm earphone jack.
Tear Gas and Fireworks Reported on 60th Night of Protests in Portland
Police said they had arrested 11 people and that one officer had been hospitalized with a leg injury from an explosive. And someone was shot and wounded in Aurora, Colorado, after a vehicle drove through a protest there, authorities said.
SAP to spin out Qualtrics via an IPO
Qualtrics' leadership team intends to remain in place, including founder Ryan Smith , who will be the largest individual shareholder.
Garmin continues battle to restore systems
The company says that they are unable to receive calls, online chats and emails for now and are working on resolving the issue. Initially, the corporation reported tiny about the difficulties, and then verified that it was suffering an outage.
United Kingdom travel stocks plunge after quarantine move on Spain
The measure upset the plans of many people either on holiday or planning to take one and caused more disruption for airlines and tour companies.
China's Xinjiang reports 13 new Covid-19 cases
A second round of large-scale testing in major districts around Urumqi has been launched to identify false-negative residents. Chinese authorities have rolled out mass testing for hundreds of hundreds of folks in the port city of Dalian.
Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds's baby name revealed in Taylor Swift song
It is perhaps her most compelling studio album to date. "You heard the rumors from Inez ", she sings at one point in the song. Her 2006 eponymous debut studio album was the longest-charting album of the 2000s.


text:
← Metamorphosis: Unleashing the Bug — Exclusive
The Goon, Animated →
New Godzilla Director Announced
Posted on Thursday, January 6, 2011 by Robert Hood
So, as everyone and their pet kaiju knows by now, the director of Legendary Pictures' highly anticipated Godzilla re-boot, due in 2012 just before the world ends, is to be Gareth Edwards. Edwards, you may recall, is a British filmmaker who recently shot to critical fame with his indie slice of low-budget giant-monster drama, Monsters (see the latest Backbrain post on the film here, then follow the links at the bottom if you want to know more). (Source: Hollywood Reporter)
Edwards will, if nothing else, give value for money, especially if he follows the film-making regime he instigated for Monsters, which was made for peanuts (that is, about $800,000 according to Box Office Mojo) and looks great. With many more millions of dollars at his disposal, and a genuine fondness for the genre, he may very well give us a Godzilla movie that's worthy of the King of the Monsters. However, one has to say that there is considerable difference between his Monsters (in which the monster action is minimal and secondary to the human drama) and what is needed for the proposed Godzilla film, even if the two films are in the same general ball-park. Can he handle the more epic scope that the Big G requires? Perhaps. Certainly there are many less promising directorial choices that could have been made.
That still leaves script, cast and studio interference to deal with, but as representatives of the latter have already expressed a desire to make a film that respects the Big G and his fans, things are looking good for the result.
Images of Godzilla
To celebrate this bit of news, I include some new images of Godzilla. It should be noted that none of these make any claim to a connection with the Legendary Pictures film.
Above is the cover of issue 1 of the new Godzilla comic Godzilla: Monster World from IDW, by Alex Ross. The series is to be written by Eric Powell (The Goon) and Tracy Marsh, with internal art by Phil Hester (Kevin Smith's The Green Hornet). Powell and Ross will each provide a cover for each issue. (Source: Matt Frank, iFanboy).
Other treats are the fact that for each issue Eric Powell will provide a gatefold wraparound cover featuring many of the iconic Toho monsters (see Powell's cover for issue 1 below), and fellow artist Alex Ross a separate cover with an image of Godzilla himself.
The IDW news release describes what we can expect thus:
"In GODZILLA®: MONSTER WORLD, a full-scale apocalypse is brewing. The monsters are a force of nature whose attacks can be no more predicted or rationalized than a lightning strike. There will be no clean-cut heroes with perfectly chiseled chins and capes billowing in the wind; only ordinary human beings struggling desperately to survive in a world gone mad." (IDW)
To introduce the series, comic stores will be able to request a special "incentive" cover showing their store being stomped by the Big G. Below is the cover by Matt Frank, with a space into which the individual store will be sketched (Source).
Meanwhile, treat yourself to a couple of Matt Frank's images of Godzilla that don't relate to the IDW project — in the first Godzilla vs the Transformers and in the second a robotic assault on Monster Island (click to enlarge):
Finally here's the latest page from that other great G project I'm always trying to convince people to check out, in this case one that will only cost you a few pixels and the bandwidth it takes to go to the site. It's artist Todd Tennant's graphic novel rendition of the rejected Ted Elliott/Terry Rossio screenplay for Jan de Bont's abandoned pre-Emmerich US Godzilla film, for which much pre-production was done but which never eventuated (1994). Check out the previous 77 pages of Todd's great project here.
Written by Robert Hood. Thanks for the heads-up, Avery.
This entry was posted in Film, Giant Monsters, Godzilla, Graphic novels, News, Pictorial art and tagged gareth edwards, Godzilla, IDW comics, matt frank. Bookmark the permalink.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


In an effort to bolster the surge and tamp down violence in Iraq, the US military is buying off insurgents. But what happens if they don't stay bought?
If you can't beat 'em, buy 'em off.
The newest news coming out of Iraq has it that the United States is hiring the people we were fighting not many weeks ago.
The new pay-instead-of-shoot policy was started not long ago in Anbar Province, where American forces have not been able to prevail. Buying off the other side seems to be working. Attacks have gone way down since the enemy's fighters have been hired by the United States at about $350 a month.
So far, once on the payroll, men previously described as America- hating fanatical jihadists have switched over to a don't-bite-the- hand-that-feeds-you policy. Bombings and bushwackings are way down.
The question is whether these men will stay bought. Nobody knows the answer to that. If they do decide to stick with their paymasters through the end of September, David Petraeus, the American commanding general, will be in a position to make highly optimistic noises when he delivers his long-awaited status report on the surge to Congress.
It seems that there actually have been two surges. The first, and most publicized, is the one that brought re-enforcements to Iraq this spring. Their lasting effectiveness is a matter of debate. It is the second surge, the money surge, that has delivered measurable returns so far. Ah, greenbacks über alles!
If the former insurgents/guerrilla fighters/American-killing freedom- haters stay bought for a year, we may find that instead of having to fight our way out of Iraq, we can buy our way out. We can as long as the Republicans do not start screaming about blood money, rewarding the enemy, paying ransom or defeat. Should they say things along those lines they will, of course, have a point.
Buying off the other side is hardly the stuff of military valor. We are not likely to erect a statue of General Petraeus acting as paymaster to a line of gritty, murderous-looking Arabs. Those of us of a more ironic disposition will probably be inclined to give the General a wink and a medal, but our war eagles are not going to like it.
At best the odds on the success of a policy of paying the enemy not to fight us are only not-so-much. We have passed out almost 200,000 weapons to supposedly friendly forces. These weapons are likely now being used against us. Half the time we do not know what the hell we are doing, but we rush to do it anyway.
From Afghanistan to Bosnia, wherever the United States has sought to use Muslims by training and arming them, they have wound up fighting us. The American record of understanding the Arab Muslim world and anticipating events in it has been worse than abysmal.
What, if you will pardon a Bush-like phrase, will the enemies of America make of the money surge? The answer is unavoidably simple. They will conclude that if you stay tough and fight until America's casualties start hurting, the Yankees will pay for a truce and safely skedaddle.
Well, it is an exit strategy of sorts and, if it works, some of us can draw a certain satisfaction from it as we watch the Iraqis resume fighting with both sides using weapons we were generous enough to give them.


Local Truck Driving Jobs With J.B. Hunt!
Average up to $75,000/year with routes that get you Home Daily!
Over half of J.B. Hunt's truck driving jobs are local - meaning drivers get home daily to what matters most. A variety of local jobs are available within our Dedicated Contract Services and Intermodal fleets.
J.B. Hunt's Local Intermodal and Dedicated driving jobs offer more traditional driving duties as well as daily home time with weekly time off. Drivers enjoy a consistent freight base with jobs available in many metro areas. As the top intermodal carrier in America, we maintain a fleet with more than 77,000 containers.


Mr. Chairman, Congressman Watt, and Members of the Subcommittee, thank you very much for the opportunity to testify before the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law. On behalf of the Board of Directors and Legal Services Corporation's (LSC) management, we are pleased to report on LSC's accomplishments since we last testified before the Subcommittee in 2002 and to answer any questions Committee Members might have.
Legal Services Corporation is a private, nonprofit corporation created by Congress with bipartisan support in 1974. LSC's charge is to ensure equal access to justice by supporting the provision of civil legal assistance to those who otherwise would not be able to afford it. For Fiscal Year 2004, Congress appropriated $338,848 million to LSC, $322,948 million of which has been allocated in grants to fund 143 legal services programs serving every U.S. county and territory. LSC spends less than 4 percent of its total appropriation for the management and administration of the national program.
The LSC Board and staff are committed to our mission, as defined by the LSC Act, to promote equal access to our system of justice for low-income people throughout the United States. Given funding realities, LSC has focused in recent years on devising and implementing strategies that promote the highest and best use of federal funds in every state and territory. We continue to devote considerable LSC staff resources to compliance and enforcement activities, in order to ensure that federal recipients abide by congressional requirements and restrictions enacted in 1996, as well as all other laws and regulations governing federally-funded legal aid entities.
LSC is governed by an 11-member Board of Directors appointed by the President of the United States with the advice and consent of the Senate. By law, the Board must be bipartisan; no more than six members may be of the same political party. The Board appoints LSC's President, who serves as LSC's chief executive officer, subject to general policies established by the Board. The 1988 Amendments to the Inspector General Act (the IG Act) required LSC to establish an Office of Inspector General (OIG) and extended specific provisions of the IG Act to LSC. Accordingly, such an office was established by and for LSC. The Inspector General is appointed by, reports to, and serves under the general supervision of LSC's Board of Directors.
Submitting written testimony are LSC President Helaine M. Barnett and LSC Chairman Frank B. Strickland. Ms. Barnett assumed her position as President of LSC on January 20, 2004. She has been a legal services attorney for 37 years, employed throughout that time at the Legal Aid Society of New York City, the country's oldest and largest legal services organization. For nearly three decades prior to assuming the LSC presidency, Ms. Barnett was involved in the management of the Legal Aid's Society's multi-office civil division, heading it since 1994. In that capacity, she oversaw the provision of legal services covering the full range of civil legal problems of the poor, established a major initiative for homeless families with children, created citywide health law and domestic violence projects, and mobilized the organization's 911 Disaster Assistant Initiative. Ms. Barnett also assumed many additional leadership responsibilities within the legal community at the national, state, and local levels. She is a co-chair of the New York State Commission to Promote Public Confidence in Judicial Elections; Treasurer of the Association of the Bar of the City of New York; a member of the American Bar Association Governance Commission and House of Delegates and a past member of the ABA Board of Governors, where Ms. Barnett was the first and only legal services attorney to serve. Ms. Barnett was also a member of the ABA Executive Committee.
Mr. Strickland is a partner in the Atlanta law firm of Strickland Brockington Lewis, LLP. He served for seven years on the board of the LSC-funded Georgia Legal Services Program and for four on the board of LSC-funded Atlanta Legal Aid Society. President George W. Bush nominated him to the LSC Board in 2002, and he was sworn in as a member and elected Chairman in 2003. Mr. Strickland has been a member of the Board of Governors of the State Bar of Georgia since 1985 and is a former member and chairman of the Georgia State Ethics Commission. He has been general counsel of the Georgia Republican Party and is a member of the Board of Governors of the Republican National Lawyers Association. In addition, he is Chairman of the Atlanta Lawyers Chapter of the Federalist Society. When Mr. Strickland was President of the Atlanta Bar Association (1985-1986), he received the American Bar Association's Harrison Tweed Award for coordinating the year's outstanding pro bono project in America-mobilizing more than 400 volunteer lawyers to provide representation to more than 800 Cuban detainees in administrative parole proceedings.
LSC's Office of Compliance and Enforcement (OCE) was established to ensure that congressionally-mandated restrictions and other regulations are adhered to by LSC grantees. OCE's responsibilities include reviewing compliance by grantees with the LSC Act and regulations; responding to public complaints; approving major expenditures by LSC recipients; conducting accountability training; and providing follow-up to certain findings and recommendations contained in grantees' audited financial statements. The FY04 budget for OCE is $2.47 million, which supports a 17-member staff comprised of a Vice President of Compliance and Enforcement, a Director of Compliance, a dozen attorneys, two fiscal analysts, two support staff and a management analyst.
New restrictions enacted by Congress in 1996 prohibit grantees who accept LSC funding from, among other things, filing or litigating class action lawsuits, engaging in most types of lobbying, seeking or receiving attorneys' fees, litigating on behalf of prisoners, or representing undocumented aliens. LSC has implemented these restrictions by regulation and monitors its grantees closely to ensure strict adherence. The LSC Board and management have not hesitated to take strong and decisive action when grantees fail to comply with the law or LSC regulations. Fiscal sanctions have and will be imposed where necessary and appropriate, up to and including termination of the program's LSC grant.
In 2003, OCE performed 39 on-site reviews, surpassing its ambitious goal of 32 annually. OCE investigates public concerns, closely reviews mandatory annual audits filed by each LSC grantee, and performs on-site reviews to ensure that all congressional restrictions on LSC-funded programs are enforced. OCE selects programs for on-site review based on a combination of a number of criteria, including complaints of non-compliance, referrals from the Office of the Inspector General, a considerable change from one year to the next in Case Services Reports, and other indicators. Since 2001, LSC has had the authority to conduct random compliance reviews as well. Finally, if OCE uncovers a serious violation of the restrictions, or if a grantee implements a corrective action plan to resolve a compliance problem, OCE will perform a follow-up review within one year of the last review and provide technical assistance to ensure effective implementation of the corrective action plan.
LSC feels confident in the effectiveness of its compliance efforts. Because we use indicators such as complaints from Congress and the public to determine which programs to review, we give especially close attention to those grantees against which serious allegations have been made. In addition, the possibility of random audits occurring at any time is an effective safeguard against non-compliance. Finally, Independent Public Accountants (IPAs) perform an annual review of the compliance of each LSC grantee with LSC regulations and congressional restrictions. IPAs report any evidence of non-compliance to the Inspector General, who in turn refers the findings to LSC management for follow-up and resolution.
Since October 1997, LSC management and the Inspector General have instituted an official audit follow-up process with its grantees known as the A-50 Follow-up Process. This process is based on Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular A-50 for agency follow-up of OIG reports. The process sets out a general timeline for handling OIG findings and resolving any differences between the OIG and LSC management regarding such findings. OCE receives approximately fifty A-50 referrals a year. The overwhelming majority of issues are resolved in less than 30 days to the satisfaction of both management and the OIG. If OCE substantially agrees with the OIG that a grantee is not in compliance and that a satisfactory plan has not been submitted by the grantee to bring it into compliance, LSC may impose a number of sanctions. LSC may put the grantee on a short-term funding schedule; it may suspend part or all of a grantee's funding for up to 30 days; and it may terminate funding if the grantee engages in continued serious violations.
The central role of LSC is to manage and oversee the use of federal funds that support the direct provision of legal services by 143 LSC-funded legal services providers. Since 1996, LSC has used a system of competition for grants to promote the economical and effective delivery of services, as required by the LSC Act. This system supplanted the previous system of presumptive refunding of LSC grantees.
We encourage non-incumbent legal services providers to compete for available grants by broadly circulating information on the availability of grant funds and by providing outreach and technical support to potential applicants. LSC announces the grants competition each year in national and local newspapers, on the LSC website, in the Federal Register, and in bar journals.
During the competition process, LSC evaluates applications according to established quality standards and awards grants to those providers best able to efficiently provide high-quality legal services in accordance with all applicable legal requirements. LSC provides three channels through which competitive grant applicants, including non-incumbents, can raise questions, issues, and complaints about the grants process. LSC surveys all applicants who file a notice of intent to compete but fail to subsequently file a grant application. LSC has an applicant service desk that responds to applicant questions and concerns throughout the grants competition period. Additionally, LSC hosts an ''Applicant Information Session,'' which is a free telephonic conference used to inform potential applicants about how to file a viable grant application. It also provides a formal vehicle for LSC to respond to questions and issues regarding its grants competition process.
LSC has held a grants competition each year since 1996 and recently completed the grants competition for calendar year 2004 funding. During the past eight years, there have been three competitions in which an incumbent LSC grantee lost to an applicant that had never previously received a grant from LSC. Whether or not there are multiple applicants for an LSC service area contract, every entity seeking LSC funds must submit a comprehensive application for LSC funding for a term not to exceed three years, and each grantee must submit an annual application for a renewal of LSC funding.
Over time, we have examined the competition process to learn how it can be improved and how to potentially attract more applicants. However, many factors help explain the lack of emergence of competitors for LSC funds. There are many situations across the country in which the legal community believes that the current LSC provider is performing well, and there simply has been no expressed interest by another entity seeking to become a legal services grantee. In our experience, law firms with an initial interest in offering one type of free service to low-income clients, such as representation in custody and divorce, are not interested in providing a full array of legal services, including housing, family, consumer and income maintenance work. Offering such services also requires establishing costly intake structures, emergency access, and other core capacities. Potential applicants also have reported that extensive reporting requirements attached to LSC funding are a deterrent to applying for LSC funds. Some firms have made the economic determination that the limited LSC funding does not compensate for the time-consuming extra administrative tasks they would be required to perform. Congressionally mandated restrictions on LSC grantees also make it somewhat more difficult to attract qualified applicants able to compete with incumbent programs. In particular, some applicants have noted that the restriction on accepting attorneys' fees makes it difficult to stay financially competitive as a potential LSC service provider.
LSC grantees close approximately 1 million cases a year on behalf of low-income clients and handle an additional estimated 4 million ''matters''-assistance that falls short of the official definition of a case (i.e., pro se assistance, dissemination of community legal education materials, referrals, mediation assistance, etc.). To serve the individuals and families these cases represent, LSC programs employ 8,277 full-time staff, of whom 3,652 are attorneys. The average starting salary for a staff attorney is $33,489, making legal services lawyers among the lowest-paid members of the legal profession.
Well over 50 percent of our clients are served through the advice and counsel efforts of our programs. Almost another 20 percent are assisted by brief service efforts. Fewer than ten percent of LSC grantee cases are resolved through a court decision. About three-quarters of LSC's client population are women, many with young children. Almost 11 percent are elderly. About one-quarter of the client population is African-American; about 20 percent is Hispanic; and approximately two percent are Native American and another two percent are Asian or Pacific Islander in origin.
LSC has used its State Planning Initiative to help grantees address emerging client populations, diminishing resources and important new technological advances that are revolutionizing the practice of law and helping legal services practitioners reach underserved client populations. State Planning requires that grantees supplement and enhance technology structures to improve client services and access. It requires grantees to coordinate functions with local and state stakeholders, including other LSC grantees, so more eligible clients who need legal assistance can receive it. State Planning also stresses local resource development and instructs grantees to undertake efforts to leverage their federal dollars with non-federal resources.
State Planning, in combination with federally mandated competition for LSC grants, is fully in accord with strategies set forth in President Bush's Management Agenda. In 2001, all federal agencies were instructed to leverage resources to maximize the use of limited government funds. The most enduring legacy of LSC's State Planning Initiative may be its success in achieving that directive. Through State Planning, LSC spawned partnerships with judges, state legislators and private bar members to help increase state funding and private contributions for legal services.
LSC's Technology Initiative Grant (TIG) program supports projects to develop, test and replicate technologies that enable programs to improve program efficiency and enhance client access to high-quality assistance in the full range of legal services. Initiated with a special appropriation in FY00 and funded by Congress every year since, the TIG program awards grants to LSC grantees through a competitive grant process. LSC awarded 51 TIG grants in 2003. In FY05, LSC plans to allocate $4 million to the TIG program. Since the program's inception, LSC has funded a range of pioneering and effective technology projects. Pro se initiatives have equipped clients with the tools and support to protect their legal interests on their own while increasing the efficiency of the courts. Web-based systems, video-conferencing and related approaches have increased access to justice for clients living in remote areas. Newly designed case management and intake systems, as well as other infrastructure investments, offer increased efficiencies that enable programs to save time and money and ultimately serve more clients. Finally, client-centered statewide legal services web sites provide legal information in 49 states and territories, thanks in part to TIG grants and ongoing technical assistance funded with TIG monies. Using these tools, clients can more easily obtain legal information through computers in their homes or at public venues such as libraries.
The TIG program has increased access to legal information, self-help resources and other legal assistance for low-income Americans. It has also given traditionally hard-to-reach clients living in isolated areas a new avenue to pursue and obtain legal aid. TIG awards have allowed many LSC grantees to leverage matching funds from other sources. For instance, our program in Alaska received matching funds from the Alaska Court System to install and configure workstations in each of the six state courthouses. These provide access to public legal education and self-help materials in both English and in Yup'ik, a traditional Alaskan language.
Another replicable TIG innovation is our Montana pilot project on teleconferencing, which has enabled the Sixteenth Judicial District (200 miles in diameter) to hold trials in county courthouses throughout the area by utilizing video conferencing technology to hear from witnesses who live far from the actual courthouse. Many judges throughout the state now hold trials via teleconferencing. Sheriffs no longer have to bring in witnesses and litigants who lack transportation and judges can make better assessments of witnesses' and litigants' mental capacities when they are in familiar surroundings. Overall, court proceedings take far less time.
A further innovative example of a TIP project is California's I-CAN! project, a web-based legal services kiosk that offers convenient, effective access to vital legal services. Developed by the Legal Aid Society of Orange County, in partnership with the courts, local government agencies, libraries and legal services organizations, I-CAN! creates properly formatted pleadings, provides court tours, and educates users on the law and how to pursue their matter. I-CAN! software facilitates completion and filing of forms on complaints regarding parental obligations, domestic violence restraining orders, orders to show cause, earned income tax credits, fee waivers, license denial reviews; paternity petitions, small claims matters and unlawful detainers. Users can access the program for free on any computer connected to the Internet and through kiosks in courthouses, legal aid offices, community centers, women's shelters, and libraries. It serves hard to reach groups such as rural communities and individuals with limited or no English proficiency as some modules can be accessed in Spanish and Vietnamese.
LSC management and the Board's Committee for the Provision of Legal Services launched a Quality Initiative in 2004 to study ways to enhance and promote the delivery of high-quality assistance by federal grantees. LSC is committed to identifying and subsequently spurring the development of certain core quality standards in its grantees. LSC will work with the American Bar Association and others to revise performance standards developed by the ABA's Standing Committee on Legal Aid and Indigent Defendants as well as those from other professions. Consensus has already been reached on certain quality benchmarks: streamlined case management systems, competent staff, peer review, resource development, consistently strong client outcomes and high client satisfaction. Other standards under examination include client involvement, workforce diversity, client accessibility, strategic use of scarce resources, and dissemination of best practices among providers. LSC will continue to examine how our most successful programs have achieved high quality and what is required to maintain it. We are providing a forum for experts to discuss the development of these qualities and showcasing grantees whose work demonstrates that they have given consistent attention to quality in staff work product, client concerns, and community relations.
It is essential that LSC have a strong presence in the national legal services community and be visible among its grantees as we assist them with their profoundly important mission. Our experience has shown that the more readily available we are to programs, the quicker they are to call us with questions and report problems. We have found that programs are eager to learn about ways in which they can improve performance and conform to LSC requirements. Teaching programs how to succeed yields far stronger outcomes for clients and lessens compliance problems. Recently, we increased our quality site visits to grantees. Sites were selected because they showed indications of weakness in one or more aspects of program activity or exemplified some of the best qualities found in legal services organizations. Although current LSC resource levels permitted fewer than a dozen trips in 2003, we have already realized significant rewards from the effort. LSC has been able to give guidance on improvements and to provide mentoring, partnership, and assistance in ways that allow grantees to deliver quality legal aid. LSC has also learned how strong programs achieve their success and has been able to share that information with others.
The Office of Information Management (OIM) is responsible for collecting data reported by our grantees or affecting them. Using 2000 census data, OIM determined the appropriation funding amounts for grantees based on a per capita calculation of the number of eligible poor people in each LSC service area. OIM is also responsible for managing the Case Service Reports (CSR) grantees file annually. In 1999, two U.S. Government Accounting Office (GAO) reports raised questions about the accuracy and validity of the CSRs. Problems reported by GAO stemmed in part from a lack of clarity found in past LSC reporting guidelines and, more generally, from insufficient attention by grantees to the existing reporting and documentation requirements.
LSC promptly took up the issue and instituted the necessary measures to correct the problem. LSC developed and issued to all grantees more detailed guidance on CSR reporting and on improving their case management systems to comply fully with LSC's operational standards. Then LSC provided additional training to those grantees most in need of it. LSC also established a system for sampling CSR data so that grantees can diagnose and correct reporting problems and LSC can track the error rate both grantee-by-grantee and nationally. As a result, accuracy greatly improved from an 11 percent sample error rate for 1999 CSRs to a 4.9 percent rate for 2000 CSRs. We continued to improve with a 4.3 percent sample error rate for 2002 CSRs. We expect a projected sample error rate between 4.2 and 4.3 percent in 2003. We are confident that the goal of ''substantial accuracy'' has been achieved. LSC will continue to pay close attention to the quality of CSR reporting to ensure the integrity of CSR figures, which are our strongest hard numerical indicator of services delivered, both on a national and individual program basis.
For FY05, LSC requests an appropriation of $352.4 million to provide funding for civil legal assistance to eligible low-income persons throughout the United States. This represents a modest four percent increase over LSC's FY04 appropriation and only partially accounts for the increased number of eligible poor clients living in many LSC service areas. More than 43 million low-income Americans are currently eligible for federally funded assistance-a record high. In addition, LSC's funding over the years has been dramatically outpaced by inflationary increases at a rate of more than 2 to 1. Current funding, in 1980 real dollars, equals just $149.17 million.
To ensure that legal services programs fully comply with all legal requirements.
The FY05 request eliminates funding for the census adjustment line item that had been included in LSC's budget during the previous two fiscal years. In FY03 and FY04, as a transitional measure, extra funding was set aside to assist LSC-funded programs facing significant federal losses due to poverty population shifts. The census funding adjustments enabled grantees to gradually adjust to lower funding levels and gave program leaders an opportunity to reallocate scarce resources and devise strategies to raise additional non-federal funds. For FY05, LSC asks that its funding be distributed proportionally among all grantees based on per capita determinations of the eligible poor living in each service area.
Federal funding is the single largest and most critical funding component for legal aid and low-income Americans seeking access to critical civil legal assistance. The federal investment has become even more important in recent years, which have seen a variety of non-federal funding sources stagnate or shrink. Many LSC-funded programs are forced to turn away thousands of qualified individuals with urgent civil legal problems. These include victims of domestic violence seeking protective orders, parents seeking custody arrangements to protect their children from abuse, elderly consumers seeking protection from fraudulent loan and collection practices, tenants seeking to keep their families off the streets, and veterans and seniors seeking vital government benefits. Over 3,600 legal aid attorneys throughout the country are charged with providing civil legal assistance to the more than 43 million financially eligible Americans-individuals with annual incomes of $11,638 or less, which is 125 percent of the federal poverty threshold. Despite the hard work and dedication of this skeletal workforce, studies show that approximately 80 percent of eligible clients do not have access to legal services when they have serious civil legal concerns.
LSC is best understood in terms of the clients our programs assist. They are all poor individuals and families who face overwhelming legal challenges. We have selected several client histories that are indicative of the range of cases that our grantees across the nation handle where the provision of civil legal assistance has made a critical difference in their lives.
Ms. K. came to the Legal Aid Society of Orange County (LASOC) when she was 20 years old and the mother of a young son. She and her boyfriend began dating when she was 17 years old, and the severe physical abuse began two weeks later. He beat and kicked her repeatedly, hit her in the stomach when she was pregnant, isolated her from her family and friends, was verbally abusive, and refused to allow her to go out without him. He took her to and from her job and forced her to turn over her paycheck to him. She finally was fired because she was so stressed on the job from the situation at home. Despite her best efforts to please him, Ms. K was beaten because she did not keep a clean enough house or prepare meals her boyfriend liked. She finally left when he told her that she would be beaten when he returned home from work for failing to iron his shirt. LASOC assisted her in applying for restraining orders and custody and visitation orders. The judge indicated that she was the textbook domestic violence victim and granted the orders as requested.
In New York, Legal Services of New York (LSNY) represented Ms. S. who was widowed when her husband, the primary breadwinner of the family and an employee of the World Trade Center, was killed on September 11, 2001. Shortly after the tragedy, while she was still in shock and grieving her loss, a finance company began eviction proceedings against her despite the fact that she had paid her rent. She learned that a foreclosure proceeding against her landlord had resulted in the landlord's loss of the house. LSNY successfully negotiated a settlement with the finance company and Ms. S. was given enough time to find another affordable place to live.
When Ms. A. was in junior high school she was assaulted so viciously that she could no longer walk. As a young adult she lived in her own apartment but required twenty-four hour a day living assistance. The state decided to decrease her home health care hours to save costs. Since Ms. A. was dependent on the availability of health care and assisted living on a twenty-four hour a day basis, the potential loss of her home health care benefits would give the young woman little choice but to enter a nursing home. With the assistance of Legal Aid of Western Missouri (LAWMO), Ms. A. was able to retain her home health care assistance and graduated from college. She now plans a career as a legal service attorney.
Ms. P acquired a ten-acre parcel of property in rural Idaho prior to her marriage. With the help of friends and neighbors she constructed a small home on the property. Eventually she married. Within a week of the marriage, her new husband, taking advantage of her disabilities, convinced her to sign a quitclaim deed giving him a one-half interest in her property. Over time he acquired complete control of their finances and incurred $85,000 in debt. He grew abusive and was arrested for domestic violence. Upon his release from jail he filed for divorce and asked that ''their'' land and home be sold to cover the credit card debt. Idaho Legal Aid Services represented her in a multi-day trial. The court revoked the quitclaim deed and assigned the vast majority of the credit card debt to Ms. P's ex-husband.
LSC has followed this very clear legislative intent, and it has been the policy of LSC that our grantees may not charge fees for LSC-funded legal assistance. Our clients represent the poorest of the poor and most vulnerable individuals in the country and are desperately seeking civil legal assistance to make a critical difference in our lives.
Moreover, in the mid-1990s co-pay was considered and rejected by Congress. Reauthorization bills introduced in both the House and the Senate contained provisions that would have required LSC to undertake a demonstration project to study co-pays, and would have permitted-but not required-LSC to establish a system of co-pay for some or all of its programs. Neither reauthorization bill passed. However, a number of the provisions from the reauthorization bills were ultimately included in the 1996 Appropriations Act. The co-pay demonstration project was not included.
In response to the Committee's request to consider current alleged infractions committed by California Rural Legal Assistance, LSC will report on the status of LSC's review of the OIG's and the possible sanctions that might be imposed on any program that has been referred to LSC by the OIG.
On September 30, 2003, the OIG provided CRLA with a draft audit report. As is standard procedure, CRLA was given an opportunity to respond. On November 14, 2003, CRLA submitted comments in response to the OIG's report. CRLA disputed the OIG's draft findings. On December 11, 2003, the OIG issued its final report. The OIG accepted some minor corrections from CRLA and dropped one finding. Otherwise, the OIG reiterated its previous findings. The OIG gave CRLA two months to provide a corrective action plan (CAP), which CRLA submitted in February of this year. OIG reviewed it and, on March 5, 2004, after deciding that CRLA's proposed CAP inadequately addressed the problems outlined in the report, the OIG referred the matter to LSC's Office of Compliance and Enforcement (OCE) through what is known as the A-50 referral process.
We take our responsibilities under the A-50 process very seriously. The A-50 process stems from a requirement in the 1996 Appropriations Act that LSC was to ''develop procedures to ensure effective follow-up that meet at a minimum the requirements of Office of Management and Budget Circular Number A-50.'' A-50 provides for general federal agency follow up procedures for IG findings.
Following the procedures outlined in that process, OCE, in conjunction with LSC's Office of Legal Affairs and management, is currently reviewing the facts and the law presented in this case. We hope to conclude this review of whether or not we agree with the OIG's report by May 1, 2004. We will, however, conclude our work on this case in as short a time frame as we reasonably can.
There are a number of possible scenarios that could arise after LSC completes its review of an OIG report. If we concur with the OIG's findings that a program violated LSC regulations, and we agree that a program's proposed CAP will not adequately remedy the situation, we would try to work with the program to develop a CAP that will bring them into compliance.
If working with the program does not bring them into compliance, we will consider the imposition of any and all sanctions necessary to promptly bring the program into compliance. LSC may suspend part or all of the grantee's funding for up to thirty days; we could put the grantee on a short-term funding schedule at the end of the calendar year; and, if the grantee continued to engage in serious violations of congressional will as codified in LSC Act, appropriations acts and regulations, we could terminate the grantee's LSC funding.
Another sanction available to LSC is to cease to fund the program during the next competitive grant cycle. LSC always takes a grantee's compliance history into account during the competition process.
Civil legal services programs play a critical role in helping poor individuals and families achieve independence and self-sufficiency and in obtaining critical relief. Annually, the LSC cases fall into traditional poverty law categories. Grantees close almost 40 percent of their cases in family law each year, primarily representing custodial parents and victims of domestic abuse seeking divorces and orders of protection. More than ten percent of our closed cases involve efforts to help elderly clients with income maintenance issues, veterans' benefits, disability claims, and other relief under benefits programs designed for older Americans. Almost one-quarter of our grantees' litigation is devoted to housing law issues-preventing family homelessness by challenging evictions, preventing foreclosures, improving living conditions, helping with Section 8 and other federal housing subsidies or through community activities to improve neighborhoods and develop affordable housing. Our programs' lawyers keep children in school by representing them in expulsion hearings and helping students with disabilities learn in effective and appropriate settings. LSC grantees make sure that the working poor have access to fair employment and the wages to which they are entitled. Our grantees also assist consumers with bankruptcy and other debt relief, including that caused by predatory lenders.
In conclusion, we at LSC are proud of our partnership with Congress and enormously grateful for the bipartisan support we have earned over the past decade. We also deeply appreciate the support the Bush Administration has shown for our efforts to provide equal access to justice for low-income Americans in the most efficient and effective manner possible. The LSC Board and staff will continue in this collaborative effort and will build upon these important relationships in the future as we endeavor to give meaning to the goal of equal access to all Americans. Thank you.


text:
Blog posts about performance
We're making some improvements to our infrastructure platform
One of our main priorities for this year has been to make some significant investments in our infrastructure platform to bring about some key improvements.
After completing a review, a project is currently underway to make some upgrades to the platform and expand our presence into additional locations, which will enable us to provide more flexible capacity and geographical redundancy for services.
This is a significant update to our platform and is intended to underpin the growth and availability of our services over the next three years.
Currently, we are engaging with suppliers to bring this capability online and will be focussing on applying this to our core services over the rest of 2021.
In the interim, we have also completed a number of smaller actions to further strengthen our infrastructure.
We have redistributed services across our back-end tier to ensure better capacity management and limit the impact of sudden spikes in activity. This is an ongoing activity and we will continue to make adjustments as necessary.
We are updating our emergency response procedures to ensure that a clear process is in place for managing spikes in connections that run the risk of overwhelming the back-end.
We have already expanded our monitoring to better capture some aspects of the back-end system and make these available to our engineering staff for real-time troubleshooting. This is already helping us find some areas for potential improvement in resource and connection pool management and we are actively working at adding further capabilities.
We are always reviewing our planning and decision making, and have contingency plans in place as we make improvements.
Image: Zeynep Sümer
How FixMyStreet Pro is continuing to improve the user experience for Buckinghamshire Council
The SocietyWorks team has always been very confident in FixMyStreet Pro's ability to create real, positive change for councils. Better user experience, more intelligent use of data, easier case management for council staff and dramatic savings – and that's just to name a few.
But of course, the proof is always in the pudding. So we were very pleased to hear recently that, since making the switch to FixMyStreet Pro, Buckinghamshire Council has seen a significant improvement to their customer user journey when it comes to online reporting of highways defects. As a result of this, the Council has been able to create over £32,000 in savings per year.
Buckinghamshire Council chose to make the switch to FixMyStreet Pro back in 2018 as a way to improve their street and highways fault reporting customer experience. While residents still have a choice of channels through which they can make highways reports, the Council wanted to be able to offer the most intuitive digital process possible for reports that residents want and are able to make online.
Calls to Buckinghamshire Council's Customer Service Centre about highways defects have decreased by 49%, which equates to over £32,000 in savings per year
It didn't take long for FixMyStreet Pro to start delivering against Buckinghamshire's desired outcomes. Since launching the service, calls to the council about highways defects have decreased by 49% – a clear sign that the online user experience has improved. In fact, for street light defects in particular, calls have decreased by 58%, more than likely helped by the Council's intelligent use of FixMyStreet Pro's asset layers, which can display ID numbers for street lights (as well as a number of other assets) to help the user make an accurate selection on the map and reduce duplicate reporting.
The benefits of this improved user experience stretch beyond just the user; for the Council itself the cost per highways report has dropped by up to 98.69%, taking an average report cost down from £7.81 to just 9p. According to Buckinghamshire Council, this equates to over £32,000 in savings per year. So it's a win for the user and for the Council – and that's what we love to hear.
What's next for Buckinghamshire Council and FixMyStreet Pro?
We're so delighted that FixMyStreet Pro has had such an impact on Buckinghamshire Council already, but we're not stopping there when it comes to improving things even further.
In light of how successfully FixMyStreet Pro has improved the user experience when it comes to reporting street faults, we've been looking into how we could do the same for the process of making claims, too. Buckinghamshire residents can already make claims online to the Council about highways defects, but compared to the defect reporting process, the making a claim process could be much more user-friendly for both residents and council staff. Currently, residents need to provide lots of information up-front, even before it has been established that the claim can be upheld, while staff have to copy information over from the claims form into the Council's backend management system Confirm, which includes downloading and re-uploading attachments.
After running some service discovery sessions on this, we've already made some progress here by improving the connection between Buckinghamshire's existing claims form and Confirm to drive efficiencies for officers. The next step would be to expand our integration with Confirm and allow users to be able to file an incident report within FixMyStreet itself, as well as reporting the highways defect that caused the incident.
As always, we'll let you know how the development on this project goes, and hopefully we'll have some more positive results to share with you in the future!
If you'd like to find out more about FixMyStreet Pro and have an informal discussion about how the service could work for you, book a short demo here.
Image: Samantha Borges on Unsplash
Measuring the savings brought by FixMyStreet Pro
Buckinghamshire County Council have revealed the cost savings brought to them by FixMyStreet Pro.
The authority switched over to FixMyStreet Pro as their official fault reporting system in April 2018. They're now able to assess a year's worth of data and compare it to the year previous. The findings are gratifying, to say the least — and set out a real case for councils who are considering opting for the service themselves.
Saving staff time and resources
The council reports that they've seen a 13% decrease in calls and a 40% reduction in emails about street faults since FixMyStreet Pro was introduced.
In case you're wondering how that translates into monetary savings, well, on average they reckon that a single call costs £5.88 in staff time, while a report made by email, with its potential for back and forth communication to pin down the precise details, chalks up £7.81.
In comparison, because FixMyStreet Pro places reports directly into the system, and little staff time is required to administer them, the perceived cost is just 9p per report.
Additionally, Buckinghamshire has seen a 29% drop in calls where residents are chasing progress: report makers no longer need to get on the phone to check whether their issue is being seen to, because updates are pushed directly back to them as the report progresses through the system.
And there's been a 59% decrease in unnecessary clarification, that is, when the council need to go back to the report-maker to check the exact location or nature of an issue. FixMyStreet can be set up to the council's exact specifications to ensure that the user is prompted to provide all the information they'll need, which accounts for this impressive drop.
Avoiding unnecessary reports
It can be a frustrating waste of time and resources when a council receives reports about issues which are not their responsibility: with the UK's two tier system, it's almost inevitable that citizens get confused about which authority deals with which category of street fault — and on top of that, there are the reports that are dealt with by other bodies such as TfL or Highways England.
FixMyStreet has always done a good job of routing reports to the right council, though, and the improvements we've made to the service over the last few years mean we can also make sure the relevant reports go through to TfL and Highways England too. Bucks say that since introducing FixMyStreet Pro, they've seen a 19% decrease in misrouted reports that have to be forwarded elsewhere.
Finally, they can see a 30% decrease in street light reports. Since Bucks are one of the councils who display all their streetlights on FixMyStreet it's now very easy for a resident to check online whether an issue has already been reported for any specific lamp post. If it has, they can also see its progress towards resolution — so there's no need for them to open a new report.
These figures illustrate very clearly what is meant by channel shift: real, tangible results that save money for councils, and thus ultimately, for residents too. It's great to have this confirmation that FixMyStreet Pro brings results — and we're still in a continual process of development in consultation with councils, to keep making more improvements wherever we can.
Image: Peter O'Connor (CC by-sa/2.0)
How to use the FixMyStreet Pro dashboard to get insights on your service levels
Anyone in Highways Maintenance management will know the importance of tracking their team's performance. It's only by looking at the stats that you can clearly understand where improvements can be made.
That's why client councils get access to a useful dashboard as part of FixMyStreet Pro's fully-featured admin back-end, showing all reports within your chosen timeframe. These can then be further filtered by ward, status (in progress, fixed, et cetera), and category. You can even check to see how many reports were made through the website, and how many on the app, giving you a good feel of your residents' uptake of mobile.
As you'd expect, everything can be exported as a .csv file, to add to your own reporting spreadsheets.
You can see how it looks — and have a play around — on our demo site, at https://demo.fixmystreet.com/dashboard. If you have your own installation, you'll be able to access it if logged in as a staff member with the right permissions, at your own installation URL followed by /dashboard. Then just click on 'Stats'.
Got questions? Why not drop in to one of our regular Friday webinars?
At mySociety we believe in an open, inclusive web and such we try to build web apps that are accessible in the broadest sense. So while we do care deeply about things like WAI and the Equality Act this post isn't about that — this is about making a site that works if you have a weak connection or an ageing device. I'm talking about performance.
Now while it isn't a great metric to track, the fact that the average size of a web page is now over three megabytes (and pages served for mobile devices reaching an average of 2.9mb!) demonstrates that this is an age of bloat that assumes good broadband or 4G connectivity and we don't think that's right.
As an example here are some numbers about the FixMyStreet site as it displays on mobile after some recent improvements.
To load a working and styled front page on your phone takes around 9KB of HTML/inlined CSS/inlined images (that isn't a typo – nine kilobytes). How do we pull that off? Well, the site logo and menu are both inlined so we don't have to wait for them to load, as is the CSS needed to show the top part of the front page. 5KB of JavaScript is loaded (which amongst other things enables the geolocation) and in the background an additional massive 14 kilobytes of CSS (the main mobile stylesheet) and the remaining 20 kilobytes of images (the example report photos and footer links) are being pulled in. The page also uses prefetch to start fetching the remaining JavaScript while the user is entering a postcode or address to actually get started on FMS.
On a desktop there's a little bit more to add to the mix (more like 66KB of images, 19KB of CSS, plus a webfont taking 77KB) but it's still lightning quick.
The team haven't reinvented the wheel to achieve this – they've just been ruthless and absolutely focused on only using the minimum amount of code to meet the user need. When the FixMyStreet site is deployed, the JavaScript and CSS is automatically minimised, and at that point we run penthouse> to work out the critical CSS to be inlined on the front page. And whilst our main JavaScript does use jQuery, we dropped it from the front page to save yet more up-front time (jQuery is far larger alone than our current front page).
If you are interested in more details of how this was achieved, here's a post Matthew prepared earlier on many of the same techniques, which he used on his own project traintimes.org.uk.
There are of course still improvements to be made – I imagine many front page viewers of FixMyStreet never need or want to scroll down as far as the images in the footer, so ideally we wouldn't load them unless they do. Due to Windows Lumia users, which we support for a specific client use case, we're using Appcache for offline support, but adding some form of more modern service worker would also be nice. And most of this work is for the front page (though it helped other pages too); our main JavaScript could be split up more than it is. It's a continual process, but here is a good place to pause.
Photo by Braden Collum on Unsplash
FixMyStreet version 2.0
The FixMyStreet codebase is used all over the world by people running versions of the site for their own country or jurisdiction. This week, we're proud to announce the release of FixMyStreet version 2.0.
This version contains a wide array of new features that benefit FixMyStreet sites' users, administrators, and the officials who receive reports. They include elements that the UK FixMyStreet was the first to trial, such as nicer-looking HTML emails for users and authorities, the ability to filter reports by multiple states and categories, a new admin user system with graduated permissions, and various bugfixes and development improvements.
Over the next few weeks, we'll be publishing a series of blog posts over on fixmystreet.org/blog/, examining the changes in detail. If you run a FixMyStreet site, or you're just interested in coding and technical issues, you may find them of interest. Meanwhile, here's the broad overview.
New front-end feature
HTML email
There is now the option for all emails sent by FixMyStreet to be HTML formatted where previously they were plain text only. This includes confirmation and questionnaire emails to the user, and report emails to the public body. These emails include any image added to the report, plus a small static map of the problem's location.
State/category filtering and sorting of list pages
When viewing a list of reports, you can now filter and sort them in pretty much any way you choose, including sorting by most- or least-recently updated, newest or oldest, or most commented. You can also select multiple categories or states (e.g. "fixed").
Pretty area highlighting on body pages
The highlighting of areas on a body page has been inverted, so that the unimportant parts of the map are shaded and you can interact more easily with reports on the page.
Users can now update their own email address
This was a frequent request from users and we're glad to report that they can now do it themselves on their account page.
When looking at reports from a list page, the other report pins stay visible so that it is easier to switch between them. The report itself is being pulled in behind the scenes, meaning the whole page does not need to reload. The map no longer extends underneath the sidebar and header, which makes things easier, and a scroll wheel can now zoom the map in and out.
Making privacy options clearer
The reporting form has been separated into public and private sections, to make it clearer which parts of what you provide will be made visible on the site.
Showing the relevant recipient
If you live in an area where there's more than one body, the category you pick normally dictates which body we send your report to. Now, when you select the category we update the name of the body given at the top of the report page, if we know that the report will be sent there.
New admin user system
Admin users can now use the same log-in right across the site – whether they're making a report like a standard user, or logging in to make edits and moderate the site.
In the past, the distinction between admin and other users was black and white. As an admin user, you had access to every part of the site, but users can now be given individual permissions for various layers of access. These include:
Proxy users This layer grants the ability to create a report or update on behalf of a body, or as another user. We envisage this being useful in a body's contact centre, where they receive a report over a phone and enter it into FixMyStreet as that user;
Report editors Giving the power to edit a report's category, state, or location. If the admin user changes the category, and that change means that a different body is now responsible for the report, it will be re-sent;
List makers, who can compile their own shortlist of reports they wish to go and inspect. This may be useful for a contractor or team who wishes to compile the day's tasks;
Quick responders These users have access to response templates, allowing them to edit and publish templated updates;
Prioritisers These users may set different priorities on reports;
Trusted users A simple reputation system, which e.g. potentially lets reports from trusted users be actioned more quickly.
The admin report edit form has also been greatly improved, including a map to update a report's location (and re-sending the report if the body changes), and much tidier layout.
Bugfixes and development changes
Bugfixes include updating the top-level domain (TLD) list for email validation, hiding authorities which don't exist any more on the all reports page, and fixing the previously-broken photo preview display after form submission. We have dropped support for Internet Explorer 6.
If you're a re-user of the codebase, there are a number of changes that will hopefully help you out. See the extended version of this blog post on fixmystreet.org for more details.
If you have any questions, please do get in touch.


This is a new attraction to be operated on Ship Cruises.
This new invention allow to get a spectacular ride to be easy installed on ship cruises with a strong impact. The video-clip show the ride in action. All drive system are installed on board acting to a special inclinated bearing. Passengers will be horizontally with special restain system.


"Many thanks. For those who don't know me, I am Chairman of the Board of IICRD. This is a wonderful initiative."
"Hi Gordon, Welcome to our social networking site! Feel free to join any groups or discussions that interest you. We are really excited to begin growing this site. If you have any questions about how to add pictures, movies,etc leave a comment for…"
Welcome to our social networking site! Feel free to join any groups or discussions that interest you. We are really excited to begin growing this site. If you have any questions about how to add pictures, movies,etc leave a comment for me and I'll be able to help you out!


text:
Q: Number parsing library Where can I get a smart number parser, that can read a numeric String in, say...

*

*Integer form: -12345

*Decimal form: 123.45

*Exponential form: 15e-24

*Hexadecimal: #CAFEBABE

*Binary: b01100101

... and get me an adequate representation (from a byte if it fits, and up to a GargantuanDouble if it doesn't)?
I'm thinking in Java right now (Android), so if it's Java, all the better; but I'm willing to port a library small enough from another language.

A: Assuming you can separate tokens, you can use Integer.decode() for decoding the numbers.

The sequence of characters following an (optional) negative sign
  and/or radix specifier ("0x", "0X", "#", or leading zero) is parsed as
  by the Integer.parseInt method with the indicated radix (10, 16, or
  8). This sequence of characters must represent a positive value or a
  NumberFormatException will be thrown. The result is negated if first
  character of the specified String is the minus sign. No whitespace
  characters are permitted in the String.

Eg.
Integer.decode("0xabcf123"); // hex
Integer.decode("07651");     // octal
Integer.decode("123459");    // decimal

A: Except the exponential form, you can handle each case and use Integer.parseInt(String a, int radix);

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


If you are anything like me every time the post drops through the letterbox there is a feeling of dread as most of the time the mail just includes demands for money. So it is always a pleasant surprise when I get a nice package as opposed to a bill and this happened just the other day when I was sent a complimentary book in the post. Not only that but the author signed it and wrote a nice message in the book " To Sola Oyebade with gratitude for all you are doing". Even though I don't feel I do anything, it is nice to be appreciated.
The book is entitled "ALMOST BRITISH" by Olivea M. Ebanks, it is a deep read and is over 420 pages long and has been endorsed by Doreen Lawrence OBE (The Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust).
The book is about Olivea's rare story of victory. " This can't be happening! Not racism. Not in the 21st Century in England. and not in Her Majesty's Prison Service! But it was happening and Olivea had two options: she could either take the constant abuse , ignore the racial comments, and differential treatment in the hope that it would go away or she could stand up to her bullies. In 2008, Olivea chose bravely, and took the Prison Service and her colleagues to court for direct racial discrimination, harrassment and victimisation. She stood alone to represent herself in a 15 day hearing and won!"
It is a great read and I think Doreen Lawrence OBE surmises the book eloquently "I believe this book will bring attention to the racism and suffering of individuals and it will help to bring about change for the institution as a whole"
Another great read is a book that has been donated to TMC 2010 winner Nana Afua by Alison Husbands entitled "THE AFRO HAIR & BEAUTY BIBLE". The must have beauty book for women of colour. Ever wondered how some women of colour can grow long thick healthy hair down to their waist; when your hair seems to stop growing at shoulder length? Yes...then this book is for you.
In this book you would discover the secrets of how to achieve and maintain beautiful healthy Afro hair and learn the proper techniques and methods to make you look and feel your best.
Learn what skin care and make-up brands work best with black skin as well as discovering natural alternatives for everyday beauty regimes. So natural or relaxed, grab a copy of this book and find out how to get the long hair you have always wanted.
Hello dude! I really appreciate what you're providing here. Keep working that way.
Thank you for your post! Frankly speaking I have never read anything that great.


text:
2022 Live Your Dash Luncheon
Full Circle is proud to present our 8th annual Live Your Dash Luncheon Friday, April 29, 2022. The luncheon is themed after the poem titled "The Dash" by Linda Ellis and awards a select few in the Richmond area who are truly making a meaningful difference in our community.
These award winners are selfless, hard-working, dedicated to their cause, and compassionate towards others. They are using their dash to make sure our Richmond community is a better place to live and work.
Part of Ellis' poem reads:
"I read of a man who stood to speak at the funeral of a friend. He referred to the dates on the tombstone from the beginning… to the end.
He noted that first came the date of birth and spoke of the following date with tears, but he said what mattered most of all was the dash between those years.
For that dash represents all the time they spent alive on earth and now only those who loved them know what that little line is worth.
For it matters not, how much we own, the cars… the house… the cash. What matters is how we live and love and how we spend our dash."
Meet Our Featured Speaker:
Anna is a full-time writer and speaker. Her work has been featured in Woman's Day, Ladies Home Journal, The Washington Post, the Daily Beast, Huffington Post, Today's Parents and more.
Speaking to groups and connecting women to each other are two of Anna's passions.
Anna writes about life with truth and humor, whether she is chronicling her inner monologue during an eyebrow threading session, or pondering faith, parenting, and loss.
Anna began writing the blog An Inch of Gray in 2008 to share funny stories of life and motherhood and to find an online community. After the sudden death of her 12-year-old son Jack in 2011, Anna chronicled her grief journey in real time for her readers in order to reveal what grief is really like and to find healing for herself.
Her memoir, New York Times Bestseller Rare Bird: A Memoir of Loss and Love was published by Convergent Books, a division of Penguin-Random House. Since its release, Rare Bird has brought comfort and healing to many hurting families as well as helped those who walk beside them know how to be there.
Anna loves connecting women to one another and helping make sense, in her own way, of this beautiful, hard, grace-filled life.
Anna now writes full time, featured in major print media outlets and online. Anna, her husband, Tim, daughter, Margaret, and young son Andrew live outside of Washington, DC.
Join us in April:
The luncheon will take place Friday, April 29th from 11:30AM-1:00PM at a private club in Richmond, Virginia. We will celebrate our Live Your Dash Award winners, share stories from Full Circle's comprehensive grief support programs, and hear from keynote speaker Anna Whiston-Donaldson.
If you would like to learn about sponsoring this event, please contact Allyson England Drake at allyson@fullcirclegc.org.
Tickets go on sale March 12, 2022.
Loss of My Child
Bereaved Mothers Share Their Stories


If you have used BA II Plus or any other mainstream financial calculator, you will feel right at home since we designed Financial Calculator+++ as consistent as possible with those products. As a user of a financial calculator or a new user, you will find out that a lot of features in this app are implemented to simplify tasks and reduce the number of keystrokes.
All financial calculations can be performed on the keypad mode of the calculator. Relevant financial variables are displayed in a list depending on the type of the calculation being performed. Resetting, recalling, deleting, or reordering of the parameters and changing the settings are done in the menu mode which can be accessed by pressing the arrow keys.
- Statistics performs statistics and regression analysis for one or two variables with four regression models. (In fact, Financial Calculator+++ has all the statistics capabilities that earned our Statistics Calculators top rating).
- Percent change, compound interest, interest conversion, profit margin, breakeven are all included in the capabilities of Financial Calculator+++.
- Shows the expression as you enter and keeps a history of your calculations.


The player does not turn on when connected to a TV using an HDMI cable.
To resolve this issue, from the Blu-ray Disc® player menu, set the Quick Start Mode to Off.
NOTE: For model-specific information regarding how to change the Quick Start Mode or other settings, refer to the manual supplied with the player. Manuals are posted on your model support page.
The audio and video on a TV is lost when turning off the stereo receiver with an HDMI cable connected.


Definition at line 233 of file CanonicalType.h.
Referenced by clang::CanProxyBase< ObjCObjectType >::getAs(), and clang::CanProxyAdaptor< FunctionProtoType >::LLVM_CLANG_CANPROXY_SIMPLE_ACCESSOR().
Represents a canonical, potentially-qualified type.
Definition at line 228 of file CanonicalType.h.


text:
CAPITAL WEALTH FOUNDATION is a philanthropic platform which strives to help our community do better things, whether it's research, support systems for those who need it, new technology for a worthy cause, or targeted educational opportunities.
The Foundation is a home-grown company, built by University of Rhode Island graduates who believe that we are a society which can and should do everything better.
Our role is to welcome, solicit, identify, and evaluate unique and non-traditional opportunities for philanthropic betterment: dreams to be seeded, research to be aided, and individuals to be inspired.
Join us in our endeavors to be BETTER.
David P. Jones from South Kingstown, RI has been named President and Chief Executive Officer of the Capital Wealth Foundation. Lee A. Duckworth, President and Chief Executive Officer of Capital Wealth Management, noted that David has a "very unique combination of business acumen and Philanthropy. Mr. Duckworth says, "We have an extraordinarily successful culture of trust and transparency with our clients and we believe those virtues will drive the Foundation." Mr. Jones had an impressive career in Broadcast Sales at NBC10 in Cranston. After a year long cancer battle, he made a decision to "give back." Mr. Jones resigned at WJAR to accept the position of Major Gifts Officer at South County Hospital and learned development from the ground up. Most recently David has combined his sales, marketing and communication background to create Diligent Development, a consultancy to inspire and educate fundraisers on the various models of Philanthropic theory to Hospitals and Foundations.
For more information on how Capital Wealth Management can help you fulfill your philanthropic mission, contact; David Jones, President and CEO, Capital Wealth Foundation.
david@capitalwealthllc.com


Remember when everything was simpler? Before we had an electronic gadget for everything?
Remember the days before we had face-activated portable telephones, before our cars could advise us on the best route to any destination? Before our fridges could access the internet and before we owned gadgets that listen to every single thing we say in every conversation just in case we say "Alexa"?
If we wanted to turn the TV over, we walked up to it and pressed a different button. If we wanted to watch a film, we had to ensure the tape it was on was fully rewound first.
Who needs 4k HD TVs with pictures so realistic you could feel the people on them breathing? I want my audio fix to be crackly and come from a cassette, preferably a C-15 from WH Smiths, not DAB quality.


Last night's news broadcasts started showing more of the devastation suffered in Nashville and other regions of Tennessee, with a tour inside the flooded and hard-hit Grand Ole Opry. The country music community is responding and banding together for a charity concert, Nashville Rising, on June 22. Initiated by Tim McGraw and Faith Hill, the rest of the nation will have to do without country music that day, because practically every performer will be in Music City. In addition to McGraw and Hill, also pitching in that night to bring a little relief will be Jason Aldean, Brooks & Dunn, Luke Bryan, Miley Cyrus, Amy Grant, Miranda Lambert, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Martina McBride, Leeann Rimes, Michael W. Smith, Taylor Swift, and Carrie Underwood. If you think that is all who will show up, you don't know benefit concerts very well—tons more will undoubtedly be added. There isn't an American musician who doesn't respect the hallowed ground that is Nashville.
Of course, the Bonnaroo concert and arts festival in Manchester TN is slated for June 10-13, and the incredible performer lineup will pay homage to the tenacity and recovery of the people and the region. Performing there are: Dave Matthews Band • Kings of Leon • Stevie Wonder • Jay-Z • Conan O'Brien • Tenacious D • Weezer • The Flaming Lips performing Dark Side of the Moon featuring Stardeath and White Dwarfs • The Dead Weather • Damian Marley & Nas • Phoenix • Norah Jones • Michael Franti & Spearhead • John Fogerty • Regina Spektor • Jimmy Cliff • LCD Soundsystem • The Avett Brothers • Thievery Corporation • Rise Against • Tori Amos • The National • Zac Brown Band • Les Claypool • John Prine • The Black Keys • Steve Martin & the Steep Canyon Rangers • Jeff Beck • & Many More!
If you can't wait that long, on May 16, a benefit concert for flood relief, Music City Keep on Playin' features Brad Paisley, Keith Urban, Lady Antebellum, Dierks Bentley, Rodney Atkins, Kellie Pickler, Martina McBride, Keb Mo, Will Hoge, CeCe Winans, and more.
The show must go on. If you can't be there to spend your tourism dollars in the region and support the hardest-hit communities in person, consider a donation. There are natural and unnatural disasters happening in this world every day, and supporting recovery is everybody's mission.


text:
In Sci-Tech
Algal Blooms on the Rise in the US
Algal blooms are on the rise in the US with more and more reports coming in from various parts of the country that these naturally occurring algae are wreaking havoc in local water bodies.
Algal blooms pose health hazards as well as risk to the marine ecosystem and impact the lives of people depending on these ecosystems for livelihood. The increase in algal blooms has been attributed to climate change, increase in wastewater runoff and other environmental issues. While these occur naturally, algal blooms produce toxins that not only hamper marine ecosystems, but can also cause illness in humans and pets. Further, these blooms cause depletion of oxygen in water thereby in turn killing fish.
In a bid to educate people in the US about algal blooms and have the local authorities keep track of harmful algal blooms, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has launched a new website with public information about harmful algae.
It doesn't take an expert in spotting algal blooms and all you have to do is look for slimy green patches in a water body – something that resembles paint in the water. Chances are that you may spot other colors as well, but there could be cases when you can't spot them even if they are present in the water. When the blooms get into drinking water, it causes it to have weird odor, often musty or earthy smelling.
If the toxins from these algal blooms are released into the air, they can cause several health issues including coughing or respiratory problems. If the toxin touches your skin, it could cause rashes and if you either end up drinking water from one of the algal bloom infested water body or eat fish from one such river or lake, you can get sick.
Beyond the health hazards are economic losses and reports have shown that algal blooms cause a huge financial hit to the country in health care costs for people and animals that have been exposed. The fishing industry is one of the worst hit with millions of dollars in losses each year. Recreation and tourism industries also suffer owing to water bodies being closed off due to algal blooms.
Feathers, Hair and Scales Have a Common Reptilian AncestorOrigin of Mercury Traced to Rare Meteorite 'Enstatite Chondrite'


text:
Ukrainian Refugees 'A Golden Opportunity for Employers'
After months of being trapped in Russian-occupied Mariupol, a Ukrainian family of four arrived safely in Connecticut on humanitarian parole—and will soon be looking for work.
The family is among dozens of refugees arriving in Connecticut under the Uniting for Ukraine program, which the federal government implemented on April 21, 2022.
Murtha Cullina's Dana Bucin (second from left) speaks at CBIA's April 21 Connecticut Economic Update conference with CBIA president and CEO Chris DiPentima, Shipman & Goodwin's Brenda Eckert, and AI Engineers CEO Abul Islam.
The program provides Ukrainian nationals and their immediate family impacted by the Russian invasion humanitarian parole for two years.
Ukrainians can be approved for the program in less than two weeks, and apply for work authorization immediately after arriving in the U.S.
"In my 17 years as an immigration attorney, I have never seen something so simple," Murtha Cullina LLP partner and immigration practice chair Dana Bucin said.
Employer Sponsorship
Bucin is helping match Ukrainian refugees in collaboration with Murtha Cullina LLP and the Honorary Consulate of Romania through a federal Uniting for Ukraine initiative.
"The world is your backyard for workforce solutions," Bucin said.
She said the program provides an immediate measure to fill open jobs in Connecticut.
"Many visa programs are complicated and costly," Bucin said.
The challenge, Bucin explains, is getting people to agree to sponsor refugees while they get on their feet in Connecticut.
Bucin said while it can be a large undertaking for someone, the federal government has made it increasingly easier for refugees to get benefits.
The program gives low-income Ukrainians on humanitarian parole access to Medicaid-like health coverage, cash benefits, and several other services through local refugee resettlement agencies, taking pressure off individual sponsors.
Eligible beneficiaries are Ukrainian citizens and their immediate family (of any nationality) with valid passports who resided in Ukraine prior to the February invasion and were displaced as a result.
Immediate family can be a spouse or common-law partner, or unmarried child under the age of 21.
Beneficiaries must clear public health, biographic, and biometric security checks with the Department of Homeland Security.
Refugees must have a U.S. sponsor to be accepted into the program.
Bucin and her team are in contact with a number of Ukrainian refugees who meet the requirements.
Ukrainian refugees must have a U.S. sponsor to be accepted into the program.
Requirements for a sponsor are someone who:
Agrees to provide the refugees with financial support for the duration of their two-year stay.
Clears DHS financial, background, and security checks in order to protect against exploitation and abuse and ensure sufficient financial resources.
Has lawful U.S. status/parolee/beneficiary of deferred action/Deferred Enforced Departure.
Sponsorship Process
Multiple sponsors may join together to have the financial ability to support one or more Ukrainian beneficiaries (ex: faith communities).
However, organizations are not allowed to serve as the named supporter but evidence of their financial or services contribution may be included with the main supporter's I-134 application and will be taken into consideration.
The Honorary Consulate of Romania to Connecticut and the Murtha Cullina LLP immigration practice formed a partnership to provide a free pre-screening form to help match sponsors and refugees.
Multiple sponsors may join together to support one or more beneficiaries.
From there, sponsors and refugees can meet on their own with their "match" to discuss compatibility, and begin the process of applying for the program through the federal government.
A sponsor takes the first step in the process in filling out USCIS form I-134 for each individual beneficiary.
A sponsor must prove financial viability as outlined in the instructions. Form I-134 requires information from both the sponsor and the beneficiary to show financial support.
There is no application fee for individuals applying for the program.
If a U.S. sponsor's I-134 is approved following background and security checks, the Ukrainian beneficiary will receive an email from USCIS about next steps.
It can take between two days and two weeks for U.S. sponsors to receive notice of their I-134 approval. While sponsors will get notified by mail, refugees will receive an email confirmation.
A refugee will get a 90-day authorization to travel to the U.S once they are fully approved.
Ukrainians are eligible to apply for employment authorization after they arrive in the U.S.
Ukrainians are eligible to apply for discretionary employment authorization from USCIS after they arrive in the U.S.
This process is expected to take three plus months.
The issuance of a social security number is tied to a work permit, and so is the ability to open bank accounts, obtain driver's license, secure health coverage, etc.
However, Bucin said presenting oneself to an SSA office and requesting an SSN right away may trigger the ability to request federal benefits based solely on a pending SSN application.
2 thoughts on "Ukrainian Refugees 'A Golden Opportunity for Employers'"
Shane carroll says:
Are there any refugees looking to come to America that has wood working back ground . We are a expanding company and could give a few a chance to work and live and eventually become citizens and own there own company through our new job opportunities.
Pavel says:
Greetings to all people of peace.
We, a family from Ukraine, are looking for a sponsor to move to the USA under the Uniting for Ukraine program.
I am 55 years old and I practice law. My wife is 56 and also a lawyer.
We need help in moving to the United States of America, where we can start a new life and integrate into society as soon as possible.
Due to certain health problems, a warm climate near the ocean suits us.
Anyone who can contribute to this, write to us at E0mail: 196777.gp@gmail.com
You can also contact us by phone +38(067) 217-32-72.
Thank you all for supporting Ukraine and Ukrainians, they deserve it.
CSCU Releases Ambitious Workforce Development Plan
Flexibility, Clear Career Progression Paths Can Boost Recruitment
Checking in on Connecticut's JobsCT Tax Credit


Information for Group Visits to Dublin Zoo - Dublin Zoo, Ireland.
Dublin Zoo is a great day out for groups of all ages and interests.
Dublin Zoo offer discounts on entry prices for groups of 10 or more.
To book a school trip with an education session, or to find out more about your school trip options, call (01) 4748932 or email: education@dublinzoo.ie or visit our Education and Programmes section.
* Valid only for bona fide group organisers and drivers with a qualifying number of visitors. Proof of identity may be required.
** Available at entrance gate. Proof of identity required.


text:
Home News Healthymagination Mother and Child Programme Welcomes its First Group of Social Entrepreneurs...
Healthymagination Mother and Child Programme Welcomes its First Group of Social Entrepreneurs Addressing Maternal & Child Health in Sub-Saharan Africa
GE and Santa Clara University's Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship launched the healthymagination Mother and Child Programme to accelerate health innovations in nine African countries
The programme has selected 17 African social entrepreneurs who will benefit from training and mentorship aimed at improving maternal and/or child health outcomes
NAIROBI, Kenya, July 19, 2016/ — The healthymagination Mother and Child Programme — launched in March 2016 by GE and Santa Clara University's Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship to address maternal and child mortality by supporting African social entrepreneurs operating in the health sector — has taken the first big step toward achieving its objective: selecting the first group of social enterprises that will receive training and mentoring.
After a rigorous evaluation process, 17 social entrepreneurs from Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, Uganda and Zambia were selected to be in the programme's first cohort and are currently attending a three-day, in-person workshop in Nairobi, Kenya. This kick-off event packs core business lessons into a powerful three-day event facilitated by senior-level Miller Center mentors and GE business leaders. It is designed to help the social entrepreneurs acquire business fundamentals, improve their strategic thought processes, and articulate a business plan that demonstrates impact, growth and long-term financial sustainability.
"Social innovations and entrepreneurs in the health sector have in recent years yielded sustainable solutions to some of the world's biggest health challenges," said Jay Ireland, GE Africa president and CEO. "It is for this reason that the healthymagination Mother and Child programme is focusing on training and mentoring social entrepreneurs working on increasing the quality, access and affordability of maternal and child health in sub-Saharan Africa, thereby enabling more women and children to experience better health."
Thane Kreiner, Ph.D., executive director, Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship said, "Despite major gains made globally in maternal and child mortality, the levels in sub-Saharan Africa remain unacceptably high. This GE and Miller Center collaboration takes an innovative and highly practical approach to combatting this challenge, by providing African social entrepreneurs with the skills and resources they need to expand the positive impact of their interventions."
"We are excited to work with our first cohort of social entrepreneurs to improve mother and child care in Sub-Saharan Africa. This program builds on GE's strong track record in bringing innovation to emerging markets while increasing positive health outcomes," said Robert Wells, executive director of strategy for GE's healthymagination commitment.
The initial workshop will be followed by a six-month, online accelerator programme, where mentorship will be provided by high-profile Silicon Valley-based executives who have themselves undergone mentorship training by Miller Center. This accelerator and mentorship programme will culminate in a "Premier Pitch" event in Africa where the 17 participants will present their respective enterprises to an audience of potential investors.
This training and mentoring that blends Silicon Valley entrepreneurial principles with venture impact investing utilizes Miller Center's Global Social Benefit Institute (GSBI®) methodology, which has been proven and refined through 12 years of working with more than 570 social enterprises worldwide. Participants will also be introduced to GE's portfolio of products; hence they will gain specialized support and training on technologies and resources for the maternal and child health sector.
In alphabetical order, here are the social enterprises selected for the healthymagination Mother & Child programme—along with the countries in which they operate and the social entrepreneurs leading them: Access Afya (Kenya; Dr. Daphne Ngunjiri); ayzh, (Kenya; Habib Anwar and Zubaida Bai); Health-E-Net (Kenya; Pratap Kumar); Hewa Tele (Kenya; Steve Alred Adudans); LifeNet International (Uganda, Burundi and DRC; Stefanie Weiland); Live Well Social Enterprise Business (Zambia; Charles Kalonga); Lwala Community Alliance (Kenya; Julius Mbeya and Ash Lauren Rogers); Nurture Africa (Uganda; Brian Iredale); Outreach Medical Services (Nigeria; Dr. Segun Ebitanmi); Peach Health (Ghana; Cobby Amoah); PurpleSource Healthcare (Nigeria; Olufemi Sunmonu); SaferMom (Nigeria; Adeloye Olanrewaju); Telemed Medical Services (Ethiopia; Yohans Emiru); The Shanti Uganda Society (Uganda; Natalie Angell-Besseling); Tulivu Imaging (Kenya; Matthew Rehrig); and Village Hopecore International (Kenya; Anne Gildea).
Previous articleOrange completes acquisition of mobile operator Airtel in Sierra Leone
Next articleEko Atlantic City Completes Eko Boulevard, Nigeria's First 8 Lane City Road


Worried about someone finding out your job hunting?
We've got you covered! Choose to make your profile private.
CareersInCosmetics.com takes pride in maintaining the highest level of confidentiality. We understand the importance of keeping a high degree of discretion when looking for your next opportunity. We have implemented this key feature to assist those members who want the ability to search without compromising their current position. This will ensure all your personal information is blocked from any company or recruiter.
Opt to make your profile private and allow CareersInCosmetics.com to act as a liason between you and the potential Employer. Employers can send you a message through our confidential email system. Don't let your next opportunity pass you by!


Manages and directs all information technology related activities.
Manage and direct wing/region wide Information Technology programs.
Serve as the unit WSA responsible for assigning and editing permissions for assigned members (if allowed by applicable Wing policy).
Serve as the echelon WSA responsible for the periodic review of assigned permissions throughout subordinate units (if allowed by applicable Wing/Region policy).
Assist the Director of Operations in Operational Security (OPSEC) awareness training matters and ensure Information Security (INFOSEC) training is performed in a timely manner.
Develop and implement wing/region wide IT policies and procedures in support of CAP's missions.
Develop and implement training programs for unit members to ensure efficient use of all IT assets.
Assist the unit commander in generating up-to-date measurable performance data extracted from available information systems.
Coordinate help desk issues between superior and subordinate headquarters.
Track IT related support issues and inquiries for the unit for submission, through proper channels, to higher headquarters.
Collect and collate information regarding IT related support issues and inquiries from subordinate echelons for submission, through proper channels, to higher headquarters.
Develop automated, streamlined reporting systems for the capture of periodic data IAW pertinent regulations and that are not in conflict with systems put in place by higher headquarters.


Need a Quick and Easy Recipe for your Backyard Party?
Try chicken tacos! Here's an easy, fast and tasty recipe for your next outdoor party.
Previous Previous post: What's the Latest Trend in Outdoor Living?
Next Next post: How Many Ways Can You Design A Pergola?