text:
A Tribute to Samir Amin
in Life/Philosophy — by Justin Theodra —	August 20, 2018
200 years after Marx's birth, 101 years after the October revolution, and 50 years after thetumult of 1968, Samir Amin is dead. To the torrent of tributes that is surely pouring in at this time, I would like to add my own reflections on my engagement with Amin's life and work.Due to the timing with which I came into contact with professor Amin's work, it has had a most profound impact on me, both intellectually and existentially. I think my experiences reflect those of many young people from the Global South who – having grown up in the era of neoliberal triumphalism – found their way to professor Amin's work, and there discovered an incubator for their critical minds and egalitarian hearts.
But we among Amin's last cohort of students are only one in a long line. Quite apart from simply leaving behind a profound intellectual legacy, professor Amin has been a pedological tour de force in his lifetime – right up to the end he was mobilizing hearts and minds, always with the same enthusiasm, the same inspiring zeal. A historical irony encapsulates the point well: in the mid-70s, a generation of Indonesian dependency scholars – typified by Sritua Arief and Adi Sasono – were inspired by Samir Amin's early works – Unequal Development, Class and Nation, Accumulation on a World Scale etc. (Hadiz, 2004, 60). Close to half a century later, his new works have inspired me, a 21st century Indonesian.
There will surely be generations upon generations to come. Inspired, informed, and emboldened by Samir Amin's life and work. May we redouble our efforts in his honor!
October Christening
I had noticed a copy of Amin's Obsolescent Capitalism perched up on the top shelf of the 'radical' aisle in UCI's Langson Library as early as my sophomore year of undergraduate studies – about three years ago. I think Amin would have been happy to know that they have him sandwiched between Arrighi and Marx, and that Frank and Wallerstein are close by as well – next aisle, one shelf down, beneath Braudel.
What eventually enticed me into exploring professor Amin's work more deeply was the centenary of the October revolution. Being a young man of vague liberal dispositions (but strong anti-capitalist inclinations deep down) I was then intending to go into welfare state studies – historical institutionalism, varieties of capitalism, and the like. But the centenary was an opportunity I could not pass by – a once in a lifetime opportunity to learn about communism 100 years after the first long lasting communist state was set up. So, I picked up two books: one was Steinberg's The Russian Revolution 1905-1921, and the other was Amin's October 1917 Revolution: A century later.
The two complemented each other extremely well. Steinberg's was an experiential history of October – told through poems, diary entries, letters, photographs etc. The most micro of micro histories possible. Amin's on the other hand was the most macro of microhistories possible. Not only does he deal with the entire 'red October century' rather than just the event of October itself, he framesthe 'red October century' in relation to the long history of civilizations. Amin compares the Soviet experiment to proto-capitalist experiments in the 8 centuries preceding the Industrial Revolution, and argues that just as capitalism "was not miraculously constituted all at once in the 16th century" but rather emerged out of successive 'waves of modernity' that occurred in Sung China, the Abbasid Caliphate, and the Italian cities, socialism will emerge from a successions of revolutionary waves, of which the red October century was merely the first (Amin 2017, ch.1).
The argument Amin put forth in October 1917 gave me a far better appreciation of history than I had had previously. Moreover, it bolstered my 'optimism of the will' and convinced me to give up the notion that the improbability of system change necessitated capitulation to the center. I began to think about social change on a higher order of time. I began to realize that the project was not 'socialism or bust' in one's own lifetime. But doing everything possible to lay the groundwork for future generations to come. I began to see the contribution I could make to humanity's emancipation from exploitation and alienation. It turned me from a left liberal into a communist in short.
Eager to learn more, I read Russia and the Long Transition from capitalism to socialism. In many ways, it reads like a sequel to October 1917, even though it was published earlier. I had seen in October 1917 how a historical lens could add tremendous amounts of meaning to a social phenomenon– especially if the lens was calibrated to longue duree. What my reading of Russia and the Long Transition added to that understanding was geography. For instance, Amin observes at one point in the book that wage rates were identical across the Soviet Union – from Moscow to Tashkent. Geographically, this implies capital outflow from the rich Russian core to the poor central Asian periphery.Historically, this is significant because no other regionalism in the history of civilizations – except perhaps the Chinese tribute trade system – featured net capital outflow from the core to the periphery. Something as simple as wage rates, could have so much meaning when viewed in a historical and geographical lens. And even more meaning could be derived when the political implications were drawn, which Amin proceeded to do. He argued that notions of a Machiavellian'Soviet Empire' are untenable given that capital was flowing out from the core to the periphery. Soviet regionalism reversed the typical extractive relationship between core and periphery that prevailed in virtually all other regionalisms in human history.
Seeing this very basic application of a 'world-systems' analysis was extremely instructive. I no longer felt like complex political-economic phenomena were beyond my grasp, and if I could understand the world, then I could change it – in time. I think this is the way many young people feel when they read Amin. It's the perfect synthesis in a way, of inspiration and instruction. On the one hand, his audacious language emboldens one to engage with one's critical thoughts, not simply push them aside. On the other, his sharp delineation of theory pulls one back from adventurism, prompting one to think rigorously.
Having glimpsed how Amin analyzed the world, I wanted to know what Amin thought about changing it. How does he apply his global historical materialist analysis to contemporary issues? In the winter of 2017-18I began to read Amin's more overtly political work, looking for answers to questions of Praxis.
From theory to praxis: how to think about politics as a socialist
The first of Amin's books I read during the winter of 2017-18 wasModern Imperialism, Monopoly Finance Capital, and Marx's Law of Value. Too deep did I dive. Lacking background reading on Marxian economics, I was lost. So, I just read and re-read the less technical sections like Marx's Project andConcluding Political Remarks, while waiting for The World we Wish to See arrive. From those sections, I learned the basic theses of monopoly capitalism as delineated by Baran and Sweezy, as well as Amin's own additions to them, including of course his reformulation of the law of value as the globalized law of value. Moreover, seeing Amin use this critical theory to arrive at critical conclusions was hugely informative. For instance, Amin uses the globalized law of value to arrive at the political conclusion that 'catch up' is impossible. He argues that since wages rise with labor productivity in the core but lag behind them in the periphery (globalized law of value), so long as the capitalist world-economy remains, developing countries will remain systemically barred from 'catching up' – notwithstanding temporary reductions in the gap due to special circumstances of course. Needless to say, my 'taste for theory' as Prabhat Patnaik would call it – grew exponentially. But so did my taste for history. Amin's summary of the political economic history of the 20th century in section 4 of Concluding Political Remarks was especially stimulating. The neoliberal narrative I had grown up was torn asunder of course. But even the liberal narrative of 'market failure' and poorly implemented globalization – evident in books like Stiglitz's globalization and its discontents – was challenged. There were much more systemic factors at play that the 'market failure' narrative glossed over.In addition, Amin's history emphasized the global south – bringing the experiences of myself and my parents into the limelight.
The World we Wish to See was much more accessible than Modern Imperialism fortunately. It reads like a100-page map of the political landscape of the early 21st century. A truly massive sweep of issues is covered – from the militarization of geopolitics, to the food sovereignty question, to the struggle for women's liberation in the 21st century (especially in the oft neglected rural hinterland of the peripheries). Moreover, all of the policies outlined in the Bamako appeal – reprinted in appendix B – are linked back to a set of corresponding principles. The importance of these political principles was the main lesson I learned from this book. I had seen in October 1917, Modern Imperialism and elsewhere how Amin derived political positions from political economic theory. But the normative principles he had used to go from the latter to the former had been assumed and rarely specified. Here in the World we Wish to See, the normative principles were specified – cooperation over competition, socialization through democracy over market socialization, and so on. And they were essential to translating theoretical analysis into political conclusion. Muddled, unspecified principles, render theory useless, like a waterlogged musket.
Besides the importance of political principles, The World we Wish to See also very helpfully spells out some of the major contradictions within the broader left anti-capitalist movement. Amin pays the most attention to the convergence vs. diversity dialectic. On the one hand, convergence (through organization) facilitates collective action, and collective action opens the road to power. On the other, bureaucratization foments depoliticization and introduces exploitative hierarchies. Amin at one point synthesizes convergence and diversity by arguing for'building convergence while respecting diversity'.Of course, he stops short of providing a detailed blueprint on how to implement this synthesis, but nonetheless, it is very useful for a young person like me to be able to see dialectical thinking applied to political issues of enormous contemporary relevance.
Obsolescent Capitalism was next. And here I must digress to a somewhat amusing anecdote that probably reflects the experience many people have reading Samir Amin. As I mentioned above, Obsolescent Capitalism was the first book of Amin's I ever consciously took note of. Two things stuck out to me at first, the title and the cover (not very original I know). The title was very attractive – Obsolescent Capitalism– who would dare to write that! I had been secretly thinking the same two words for the past ten years.The cover howeverwas very ugly. The ugliest I've ever seen in fact. While I didn't dismiss the book because of the ugly cover, I did do so for other, no less superficial reasons. I ignored Amin's words and focused on his google scholar citations. To my everlasting shame, I shelved Amin because I thought it too indulgent to spend time reading radical literature. Better to spend the time reading the Kathleen Thelen or Joseph Stiglitz. What can I say? I was still infatuated with the welfare state. But the irony of it is, I would not only come to own my own copy of the world's ugliest paperback, but I would have the pleasure of flipping to appendix 1 while waiting for the bus one day, and find there the following quote: "[The] progress of society [is] summed up in the term emancipation". Emancipation. I hadusedexactly the same word to describe both the aspirations behind, and the project of, October 1917. Which, writ large, I perceived to be the project of all human history – the project of creating an emancipatory society. Of course, what Amin means by emancipation and what I mean by it might be a little different, but nonetheless it was a moment of intellectual affinity. I had the pleasure of laughing at myself all the way to school for ignoring my intuition and being too careerist.
I did not finish Obsolescent Capitalism – I got busy with classes and fell behind. Then,The Implosion of Contemporary Capitalism arrived, so I decided to read that instead of finishing Obsolescent Capitalism. I have to say, Implosion is the cleanest of Amin's books that I've readthus far. Amin writes in a stream of consciousness style. His ideas can be disjointed and scattered. Implosion has much more structure than the typical Amin book. Like The World we Wish to See, Implosion is a map of the contemporary conjuncture. But it focuses more on the political economics of the contemporary conjuncture, rather than the politics. Therefore, I've found it helpful to read Implosion and The World we Wish to See, as two parts of the same book.
The main lessons I took from Implosion are first, the importance of the Agrarian Question, and second the importance of China in the contemporary conjuncture. Both appear to be crux issues that will shape the ongoing restructuring of the capitalist-world economy. Amin devotes two subsections to in two separate chapters. In a book of only 5 chapters that is saying something. Moreover, Amin's argument as to why the contradictions of world agriculture are fomenting systemic rupture are very interesting. Amin argues, in a nutshell, that the increase in the north/south agricultural labor productivity ratio, from about 10/1 pre 1940 to 100/1 today, implies that the ongoing development of capitalism in the rural sectors of developing economies must entail massive job destruction in the rural sector and correspondingly massive levels of rural outmigration. This would be no problem per se, were it not for the fact that mechanization is simultaneously reducing the number of available jobs in the urban sector, and there no longer exists a colonial outmigration fix. Thus, labor gets absorbed into the informal sector fomenting the growth of a 'planet of slums' to use Mike Davis' term. The growth of increasingly immiserated slums is a completely unstable situation politically. But will the rupture that ensues see the slum-dwellers usher in an embryonic socialism? Or will the capitalist world-economy 'fall right' into a new age of barbarism? How we address the AQ today will decide, Amin contends. My interest was peaked. I began surveying the works of other scholars of the AQ. I discovered Agrarian South, Prabhat Patnaik, Sam Moyo and countless others as a result of Amin's provocation.
The second substantive issue that Implosion peaked my interest in is the hegemonic rise of China. Amin dedicates an entire chapter to it – again, in a five-chapter book that is saying something. I grew up in Hong Kong for many years and saw some of what the East Asian Miracle entails. But I had always assumed, rather lazily, that the rise of China was due to the opening up to free markets, and that far from representing an alternative to neoliberalism the East Asian NICs were driving full steam toward convergence with the western model of Capitalism. More, they were combining the worst parts of capitalism with the worst parts of bureaucratic socialism. I wanted to study alternatives to capitalism, not the latest and most brutal form of it, so I looked to the European welfare state and ignored East Asia for a long time. Amin's chapter on China changed that. It introduced me to the debates on Chinese state-economy relations. Is China 'market socialist'? 'Market Stalinist'? Amin argues neither. He argues that China has been pursuing a 'sovereign project' – one which certainly features markets, and capitalists, and trade, but which subordinates all these to the needs of its internal development. This is different form the market socialist thesis in that Amin emphasizes the geopolitical opposition of China to the prevailing 'world-system'. In this sense Amin contends, China is the only emerging nation. The other BRICS being at best emerging markets. But even more interesting than the Chinese state-economy debates are Amin's thoughts on China and the restricting of the capitalist world-economy. Amin argues that China could act as a catalyst – uniting with the other BRICS to restructure the capitalist-world economy in a way that would lay the groundwork for further advances toward global communism. However, China could also ally itself with Washington. And there are dozens of different possibilities in between. The point is however, that the outcome of the struggle over China's developmental path will play a major role in determining how the capitalist world-system will be restructured in the coming decades. How could a person with my politics and my intimate knowledge of the East Asian region pass that by? I began my explorations into Andre Gunder Frank, Giovanni Arrighi, Bunker and Ciccantell etc. off of Amin's primer on China.
A word here is appropriate I believe on the probable impact of Amin's work is having on the 'east Asian miracle generation' – of which I am a part. I can only speak of my own experiences of course, but interacting with international students from Asia at UCI, I noticed that most on the left – or at least those with progressive inclinations – are wholly uninterested in Asia. The one exception was Yudi Liu. He grew up in rural China and was keenly aware of, and very critical towards, the gross inequality in China today. He is now studying to get his master's in planning before going back to China to be a city planner. But other than that, most progressively minded students were like me – interested in the European welfare state, European history, European literature etc. Only those on the right were interested in Asia. Students in the business school, in international finance etc. If the situation at UCI is at all indicative of the overall situation, then progressively minded members of the 'miracle' generation are hugely underrepresented in the discourse on the Asia-Pacific. Amin's work goes a long way towards correcting this potential imbalance. It encourages the left wing of the 'miracle generation' to look more closely at Asia, and see the opportunities there. Moreover, even if no such imbalance exists in the aggregate, the miracle generation is still a key demographic for the left. Many of us are critical of the contradictions between the triumphalist neoliberal discourse and the brutal neoliberal reality in our countries. Moreover, those of us who are lucky enough to get a western education, usually have ample funding and familial support to pursue a long and thorough education. Would it be possible to create a cadre of organic intellectuals from this stock? Amin has helped to keep that possibility open to us.
I will skip Amin's 2006 autobiography A Life Looking Forward for now, because I want to address that in the next section where I talk about how Amin the man has shaped my thinking on questions of career, family, life choices etc. For now, I want to talk a bit about the last two books of his I read – the classic, Unequal Development, and the newerGlobal History: A view from the South. These two books got me very interested in the history of capitalism and the Chinese tribute trade system in particular. I mentioned above that Amin places the East Asian region at the center of the restructuring of the capitalist world-economy in the 21st century. Well, he makes that point very explicit in Global History,
"If Asia remains in the global system, we again find here the law of value, the five monopolies and the new polarization. Or, of course Asia could delink itself in the sense I use the term. This is not impossible" (Amin 2011, 115).
And why must Asia delink according to Amin? Because the capitalist world-system is systematically polarizing, rendering catch-up within the system impossible. But how did it become so? This is the extra dimension Amin reveals in Global History. Amin sketches the decline of the Chinese tribute trade system and the rise of the European colonial empire in chapter 5. A myriad of absolutely fascinating factors are touched upon: the use of phonetic (as opposed to conceptual) writing in Europe constraining tributary trade, the differing responses Europe and China made to the Peasant Question, the similarities of their renaissances – one extricating Christianity, the other Buddhism. But what peaked my interest the most was the discussion of the tribute trade system. My ancestors made their living from this system. And today, Chinese-Indonesian capitalists are again mediating relations between a growing China and the resrouce rich SEA hinterland.
Unequal Developmentgot me interested in historical capitalism in a much more general way. Reading about the modalities of the tributary system and how different they were to the modalities we live with today was extremely fascinating. For instance, Amin contends that in tributary societies the political instance dominates the economic instance. This is exactly the opposite of what I had seen growing up in Hong Kong, where the economic instance was hegemonic. It is just the same as reading German Ideology.
Having surveyed some of Amin's thoughts on Praxis, I became curious about the man himself. If my affinity with Amin's ideas had yielded such a fruitful study of his thoughts on political economy, might not a study of his thoughts on political economists, usefully inform my own thinking about career, life choices and the like? I intended to find out, and so purchased his 2006 autobiography in the Spring of 2018.
Socialism and man in Samir Amin
In 'Socialism and Man in Cuba' Che talked about the way in which socialism was about much more than supporting a certain set of policies. It was about embodying a certain set of values as well. Amin's A Life Looking Forward painted a picture of a man who did just that. And in so far as it did, it was very instructive to a young person like me. I could mine it for ideas on how to become a better socialist myself.
The first lesson I drew from A Life Looking Forward was that egalitarian ideals are legitimate. One can and should live by them. It is a simple lesson. The most basic of all in some ways. But many of us are socialized into thinking otherwise. Amin acknowledges that life circumstances force many (most even) to travel a "well-worn path"'. But those of us who have a degree of choice, and still "out of fear, timidity or worse, let [ourselves] be carried along by what seems to be the prevailing current bear a grave historical responsibility, for [that] choice." (Amin 2006, 36). Moreover, it is not at all true that ethics should be kept out of career choices. For instance, Amintells the story of how he quit his position at IDEP because he could not accept IDEP's uncritical application of Rostow's modernization theory to developing countries. Rostow's was a self-proclaimed 'non-communist manifesto' and stipulated that development could be accelerated by encouraging introducing capitalist practices into semi-feudal developing economies. In his resignation letter Amin made it clear that he quit because of IDEP's uncritical acceptance of modernization theory which falsely assumed that all countries go through identical stages of development. It appeared as though he had lost the job for good, but a few years later, a UN commission was set up to restructure IDEP and the commissions mandate was to make IDEP more sensitive to local specificities. Amin's resignation letter criticizing IDEP's universalization was found and he was made top pick for the job. After an interview he accepted his new position as IDEP's director. Who says sticking to your convictions doesn't pay?
The second lesson I drew from A Life Looking Forward has to do with being an organic intellectual. How does one go about 'class suicide'? Throughout his life, Amin was constantly in dialogue with progressive groups – whether it be the 'anti-colonial milieu' in Paris during his student days, or the Malian left while he was a planner in Bamako, or Nadi Whafdi club members in Egypt. But dialogue is not enough. Amin criticizes the French intellectuals who fled Paris in 1968 when things became heated, emphasizing the importance of getting in the thick of organizing. That Amin certainly did. He helped organize many institutions of the left including the third world forum, world forum for alternatives, and CODESRIA. Moreover, he tailored his studies to the problems he saw on the ground. For instance, his studies of Mao's New Democracy were geared toward resolving the crisis of Egyptian communism. Similarly, his study of Ph.D. thesis was in many respects a response to the split between the PCF and the non-communist anti-colonial students. When Amin tried to organize the latter under a united front. Members of the PCF tried to have him expelled for opportunism and rightist deviation. Amin recalls in a very critical tone those PCF members who openly proclaimed that developing countries could not aspire to socialism before the civilized French had turned Europe red. A Marxian analysis of the world-economy was needed. Amin provided it in his Ph.D. thesis. A final point. While Amin always put 'politics in command', he never abandoned academic rigor. Far from it he attempted to introduce more academic rigor into the many discussions he had (142). These are a few good pointers on being an organic intellectual.
A third lesson I drew from A Life looking forward, was to do with humor. It is impossible to miss the many humorous anecdotes and jokes Amin intersperses throughout his autobiography. One of my favorites is the story about how his grandfather took him to see the Italian fascists sail through port Said on their way to Ethiopia. How did Amin's grandfather instruct him to react to the fascists shouting their slogans and raising the fascist salute? He gave Amin two options. One option was the peace sign. The other, was to turn around and unleash an enormous fart just as the winds were blowing out to sea. I suspect these sorts of experiences sowed the seeds of a sense of humor in Amin, which would sustain him for many decades to come in the very bleak struggle that the fight against capitalism can sometimes become.
A fourth and final lesson I drew from A Life Looking Forward has to do with another likely source of Amin's stamina – singleness of purpose. Marx famously claimed that this was his favorite of all the virtues. And Amin seems to have possessed it. While in Paris as a student for instance, he never went out as a student in Paris except for political activity. He would eat dinner with his future wife Isabelle in a cheap Chinese place, where one 'Comrade Long' would overcharge his rich customers and give them double portions. While rest and recuperation were of course taken care of – taking holidays to the interior of Mali for instance – there was none of that compensatory consumption one hears so much about these days. Work was pleasure. In his interview with the Real News Network Alexander Buzgalin gave the following definition of communism: 'Communism is where you like your work. Because it is creative labor. Because you are working with your comrades to build a better world. In socialism we are builders of our world. We can build it how we like. But we must work hard. What is it to build socialism? To work 12 hours a day on the basis of enthusiasm'. I suspect Amin lived close to this ideal – something we can all aspire to.
It pains me to bring this essay to an end. Perhaps that is why I've gone on so long. With the tying of the last line, Samir Amin will be well and truly gone. Though I'm one of his newest readers, the fortuitous timing with which I came into contact with his life and works has perhaps amplified the impact he has had on me. Intellectually, and existentially, I am in his debt.
Fortunately, Samir Amin left us all with an enormous corpus, my own bibliography of which is included below. It only includes English language titles however – but even then, 30 plus books!Amin's articles can also be found in journals like Monthly Review, International Critical Thought, Agrarian South: Journal of Political Economy, Review of International Political Economy, Review, and International Journal of Middle Eastern Studies. For anyone with a particularly strong interest I highly recommend taking a look at the Monthly Review archives, where one can find Amin's articles dating back to the mid-70s – one of the earliest article available there is dated 1st September 1974, and titled In Praise of Socialism, that should be enough to entice you.
There are also many YouTube videos of Amin giving talks, speeches, interviews and lectures. In the past four days since his death, over 10 new videos have surfaced. I highly recommend all of them. But for those specifically interested in Amin's theoretical work the SOAS lecture series is excellent. For those wanting to enjoy Amin's audacious style I recommend his speech on 'weltnetzTV'. And for fascinating stories about 20th century communism – Amin's interviews for 'Global University for Sustainability' are excellent.
I want to end with a quote in October 1917, some of the first words of Amin's I ever read, "Great revolutions make history…These revolutions are great precisely because they are bearers of undertakings that are far ahead of the immediate demands of their time." (Amin 2017, 1). As a socialist, an organic intellectual, and a teacher Samir Amin went far beyond immediate necessities in his lifetime. He was a great man who helped humanity move many miles down the long road to socialism. May we continue in his footsteps!
Amin, S. (1971). Neocolonialism in West Africa. Monthly Review Press.
Amin, S. (1974). Accumulation on a World Scale: A Critique of the Theory of Underdevelopment. Monthly Review Press.
Amin, S. (1976). Unequal Development. Monthly Review Press.
Amin, S. (1979). Imperialism and Unequal Development. Monthly Review Press.
Amin, S. (1979). The Law of Value and Historical Materialism. Monthly Review Press.
Amin, S. (1980). Class and Nation, Historically and in the Current Crisis. Heinemann
Amin, S. (1981). The Future of Maoism. Monthly Review Press.
Amin, S., Arrighi, G., Frank, A.G., Wallerstein, I. (1982). Dynamics of a Global Crisis. Monthly Review Press.
Amin, S. (1987). Empire of Chaos. Monthly Review Press
Amin, S. (1990). Delinking: Towards a Polycentric World. Zed Books.
Amin, S. (2011 [1990]). Maldevelopment: Anatomy of Global Failure. Pambazuka Press.
Amin, S. (1994). Re-Reading the Postwar Period: An Intellectual Itinerary. Monthly Review Press
Amin, S. (2014 [1997]). Capitalism in the Age of Globalization: The Management of Contemporary Society (Critique Influence Change). Zed Books
Amin, S. (1998). Specters of Capitalism: A Critique of Current Intellectual Fashions. Monthly Review Press
Amin, S. (2003). Obsolescent Capitalism. Zed Books
Amin, S. (2004). The Liberal Virus: Permanent War and the Americanization of the World. Monthly Review Press.
Amin, S. (2005). Eurocentrism: Modernity, Religion, and Democracy: A Critique of Eurocentrism and Culturalism. Monthly Review Press
Amin, S. (2006). A Life Looking Forward: Memoirs of an Independent Marxist. Zed Books
Amin, S. (2006). Beyond US Hegemony? Assessing the Prospects for a Multipolar World. Zed Books
Amin, S. (2008). The World We Wish to See: Revolutionary Objectives in the Twenty First Century. Monthly Review Press.
Amin, S. (2010). The Law of Worldwide Value. Monthly Review Press.
Amin, S. (2011). Global History: A view from the South. Pambazuka Press
Amin, S. (2011). Ending the Crisis of Capitalism or Ending Capitalism. Pambazuka Press.
Amin, S. (2013). Europe and the Arab World: Patterns and Prospects for the New Relationship. Zed Books
Amin, S. (2013). The Implosion of Contemporary Capitalism. Monthly Review Press.
Amin, S. (2013). Three Essays on Marx's Value Theory. Monthly Review Press.
Amin, S. (2016). Russia and the Long Transition from Capitalism to Socialism. Monthly Review Press
Amin, S. (2016). The Reawakening of the Arab World: Challenge and Change in the Aftermath of the Arab Spring. Monthly Review Press.
Amin S. (2017). October 1917 Revolution: A Century Later. Daraja Press
Amin, S. (2017). Arab World: Roots and insights of the crisis. Ruth House.
Amin, S. (2018). Modern Imperialism, Monopoly Finance Capital, and Marx's Law of Value. Monthly Review Press.
Amin, S. (2018). Samir Amin: Memoirs of an Independent Marxist, Volume 1. Monthly Review
Amin, S. (2014). Samir Amin: Pioneer of the Rise of the South. Springer
Foster, J.B. (2011). Samir Amin at 80: An Introduction and Tribute. Monthly Review
Hadiz, V. R. (2004). The rise of neo-Third Worldism? The Indonesian trajectory and the consolidation of illiberal democracy. Third World Quarterly, 25(1), 55-71.
Justin Theodra belongs to UC Irvine Contact: jtheodra@uci.edu. Web: justintheodra.wordpress.com
Tags: Samir Amin


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3M and Bibliotheca are the biggest RFID players in the library market. Another biggie is FE Technologies but only in Australia.
Some libraries are using UHF tags but most are using HF tags. Most troubling is that, by far, most respondents don't know the type of tags they are using.
Respondents also don't know whether they are using ISO 28560 and even more don't know if they are using ISO 28560-2 or ISO 28560-3.
So, if you are reading this and thinking...."Hmmmm, I wonder what that means. I don't know about that either!? I hope you will click on my RFID page and educate yourself. It's time for everyone to start paying attention to this issue and stop letting your RFID vendor make all the decisions.
Here's the issue: ISO 28560 is the standard that is going to help move RFID from a vendor-specific "solution" to one interoperable tool in your library's toolbag. And I bet you know that "tools" are cheaper than "solutions." And that's just one of many benefits.
I hope you will start paying attention to this standards issue and put pressure on your vendor to support ISO 28560 (specifically ISO 28560-2 for the US) because pretty soon I'm going to start talking about another complicated issue: SIP3 versus BLCF....but I"ll save that for another post.


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Lindsay Guion is Spotlighted in a Feature Article on NewsGram
Prominent executive producer, Lindsay Guion is featured in an exclusive article to discuss what the music industry will look like in 2021.
NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / January 11, 2021 / Founder and CEO of GUION PARTNERS, Lindsay Guion, was recently featured on NewsGram to discuss the state of the entertainment landscape. While the pandemic continues to impact a wide range of sectors, lockdown measures have inevitably impacted musicians and emerging artists.
'Despite the continued devotion towards music, the industry is still suffering,' states Guion. Recent stats show that performance revenue has taken the most significant hit, costing the industry more than $10 billion in sponsorships. Additionally, physical sales, which represent one-quarter of music revenue, is down by one third.
According to Guion: discretionary spending, border restrictions, and current stay-at-home mandates have accelerated the use of technology. Throughout the article, he highlights how various artists are now embracing streaming platforms to generate revenue and interact with a fan base. YouTube and Instagram Live have allowed artists to put on concerts from the comfort of their home, while fans are given a front-row seat to their favorite artists.
While 2021 may finally see a vaccine, experts also predict that individuals may be hesitant to attend in-person performances. As a result, artists must continue to think outside the box and explore alternative options.
Guion hopes that fans will continue to support emerging artists and is optimistic about the future.
Those interested in reading the full article can do so here.
About Lindsay Guion
Lindsay Guion is the Founding Chairman and CEO of GUION PARTNERS - a multi-faceted talent management consultancy specializing in global entertainment, media, technology, and telecommunications. In today's technological landscape, Guion recognizes the importance of utilizing digital platforms as a means to generate brand recognition. As an industry-leading representation firm, the professionals at GUION PARTNERS work diligently to develop innovative solutions to ensure clients achieve success in their respective industries.
Alongside his professional endeavors, Guion is also an active philanthropist, continuously searching for ways to give back to his community. He recently launched the Bessie Smith Scholarship Program, an initiative put forth to help financially support music students who have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Lindsay Guion
Website: lindsayguion.com
advisor@guionpartners.com
SOURCE: Lindsay Guion
https://www.accesswire.com/623788/Lindsay-Guion-is-Spotlighted-in-a-Feature-Article-on-NewsGram


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Q: HTML address with arguments (?) For example, if you enter https://translate.google.com/#en/la/werwer in browser address bar, it will open https://translate.google.com and fills "translate from" field with "werwer". How is it done?

A: Its done with location object. You can do it too.
Like this:
window.location.hash="werwer";

And you can parse it using the same.
var hash = window.location.hash; // contains #en/la/werwer

A: JavaScript has access to the page's URL, which contains the "werwer". Pages like that use JavaScript to parse the hash part of the URL to set up the page state when it loads.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


The ALS2 gene provides instructions for making a protein called alsin. Alsin is produced in a wide range of tissues, with highest amounts in the brain. This protein is particularly abundant in motor neurons, the specialized nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord that control the movement of muscles.
Alsin turns on (activates) multiple proteins called GTPases that convert a molecule called GTP into another molecule called GDP. GTPases play important roles in cell division, the process by which cells mature to carry out specific functions (differentiation), and the self-destruction of cells (apoptosis). The GTPases play important roles in several cell processes. The GTPases that are activated by alsin are involved in the proper placement of the various proteins and fats that make up the cell membrane, the transport of molecules from the cell membrane to the interior of the cell (endocytosis), and the development of specialized structures called axons and dendrites that project from neurons and are essential for the transmission of nerve impulses.
Genetics Home Reference provides information about amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
At least 20 ALS2 gene mutations have been found to cause infantile-onset ascending hereditary spastic paralysis. This disorder is characterized by progressive weakness and stiffness of muscles in the legs, arms, neck, and head that begins within the first 2 years of life. Mutations in the ALS2 gene alter the instructions for making alsin, often resulting in the production of an abnormally short alsin protein that is unstable and rapidly broken down. It is unclear exactly how ALS2 gene mutations cause infantile-onset ascending hereditary spastic paralysis. Research suggests that a lack of alsin and the subsequent loss of GTPase functions, such as endocytosis and the development of axons and dendrites, contribute to the progressive atrophy of motor neurons that is characteristic of this condition.
Researchers have identified three mutations in the ALS2 gene that cause juvenile primary lateral sclerosis, which is characterized by progressive weakness and stiffness of muscles in the arms, legs, and face that typically begins in childhood. Two of the mutations that cause this disorder delete nucleotides, and one mutation replaces one nucleotide with an incorrect nucleotide. These mutations alter the instructions for producing alsin. As a result, alsin is unstable and is broken down rapidly by the cell, or it is disabled and cannot function properly.
It is unclear how the loss of functional alsin protein causes juvenile primary lateral sclerosis. Loss of alsin may result in a disruption of the movement of molecules within cells or impair the development of axons and dendrites. Researchers suggest that motor neurons and their long axons may be particularly vulnerable to changes in cell development. As a result, motor neuron function declines and eventually these nerve cells die, leading to the signs and symptoms of juvenile primary lateral sclerosis.
Devon RS, Helm JR, Rouleau GA, Leitner Y, Lerman-Sagie T, Lev D, Hayden MR. The first nonsense mutation in alsin results in a homogeneous phenotype of infantile-onset ascending spastic paralysis with bulbar involvement in two siblings. Clin Genet. 2003 Sep;64(3):210-5.
Eymard-Pierre E, Lesca G, Dollet S, Santorelli FM, di Capua M, Bertini E, Boespflug-Tanguy O. Infantile-onset ascending hereditary spastic paralysis is associated with mutations in the alsin gene. Am J Hum Genet. 2002 Sep;71(3):518-27. Epub 2002 Jul 26.
Eymard-Pierre E, Yamanaka K, Haeussler M, Kress W, Gauthier-Barichard F, Combes P, Cleveland DW, Boespflug-Tanguy O. Novel missense mutation in ALS2 gene results in infantile ascending hereditary spastic paralysis. Ann Neurol. 2006 Jun;59(6):976-80.
Ferraiuolo L, Kirby J, Grierson AJ, Sendtner M, Shaw PJ. Molecular pathways of motor neuron injury in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Nat Rev Neurol. 2011 Nov;7(11):616-30. doi: 10.1038/nrneurol.2011.152. Review.
Kunst CB. Complex genetics of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Am J Hum Genet. 2004 Dec;75(6):933-47. Epub 2004 Oct 11. Review.
Sheerin UM, Schneider SA, Carr L, Deuschl G, Hopfner F, Stamelou M, Wood NW, Bhatia KP. ALS2 mutations: juvenile amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and generalized dystonia. Neurology. 2014 Mar 25;82(12):1065-7. doi: 10.1212/WNL.0000000000000254. Epub 2014 Feb 21.
Tudor EL, Perkinton MS, Schmidt A, Ackerley S, Brownlees J, Jacobsen NJ, Byers HL, Ward M, Hall A, Leigh PN, Shaw CE, McLoughlin DM, Miller CC. ALS2/Alsin regulates Rac-PAK signaling and neurite outgrowth. J Biol Chem. 2005 Oct 14;280(41):34735-40. Epub 2005 Jul 26.
Yamanaka K, Vande Velde C, Eymard-Pierre E, Bertini E, Boespflug-Tanguy O, Cleveland DW. Unstable mutants in the peripheral endosomal membrane component ALS2 cause early-onset motor neuron disease. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2003 Dec 23;100(26):16041-6. Epub 2003 Dec 10.


The Patient Experience Project (PEP) has announced the hiring of Caitlyn Dawson as a project manager.
In her role, Dawson is responsible for coordinating client work at the agency through every stage of planning and production. Before joining PEP, she worked as a project manager at Havas Life Metro, a health and wellness marketing communications firm. She has managed various digital and print projects for biotechnology and pharmaceutical clients, such as Genentech and Biogen.
Dawson earned her bachelor's degree from Lafayette College in Easton Pennsylvania.
PEP is a full-service, patient-centric communications firm serving the healthcare, pharmaceutical, and biotechnology industries. PEP has offices in Saratoga Springs, New York and Chicago, Illinois. PEP's nationally recognized approach centers around the collaboration with the foremost disease experts—patients themselves—to co-create authentic programs and content for patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals. Learn more about career opportunities.


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NASET's Autism Spectrum Disorder Series
Alternative and Augmentative Communication for students with Developmental Disabilities: A Review of the Literature
This issue of NASET's Autism Spectrum Disorder series was written by Samantha Groover. Communication is composed of verbal and nonverbal cues. Students with disabilities might be able to have nonverbal communication skills. Around 35% to 40% of all individuals with Autism, do not acquire or develop spoken language. (Hill, Flores, & Kearley, 2014). Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices allow for individuals with no verbal communication to verbal communicate their wants, needs, and emotions. AAC devices also allow for students to engage in conversations, complete assignments, and interact with others. Professionals such as speech and language pathologists use AAC devices or systems to aid individuals with disabilities to understand the complex world that they live in. They also use AAC devices to allow the individual to express needs, make comments, and interact with other around them (Reis, Pereira, & Almeida, 2018). Read More
New Autism Early Detection Technique Analyzes How Children Scan Faces
Imagine that your son Tommy is about to turn two. He is a shy and sweet little boy, but his behaviors can be unpredictable. He throws the worst temper tantrums, sometimes crying and screaming inconsolably for an hour. The smallest changes in routines can throw him off. Is this a bad case of the so-called "terrible twos"? Should you give Tommy some time to grow out of this phase? Or, are these signs of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), the equivalent of about one or two children on a full school bus? And how will you find out? Our research group at the Applied Mathematics Department at University of Waterloo has developed a new ASD detection technique that distinguishes different eye-gaze patterns to help doctors more quickly and accurately detect ASD in children. Read More
Power of Refocusing Student Stress in Middle School Transition
A new study by education researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison shows that proactively addressing students' anxieties with clear and cost-effective messaging early in the school year can lead to a lasting record of higher grades, better attendance, and fewer behavioral problems for sixth graders embarking on their stressful first year of middle school. Published this week in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the journal of the National Academy of Sciences, the featured six-page paper by lead author Geoffrey D. Borman traces those benefits to a difference-making change in attitude and positive well-being reported by students after two brief, reassuring classroom activities, known as interventions. Read More
Black Students Receive Fewer Warnings from Teachers about Misbehavior
A new study of racial and ethnic disparities in school discipline found that black middle school students were significantly less likely than their white peers to receive verbal or written warnings from their teachers about behavioral infractions. "While at first glance, disparities in teacher warnings seem less concerning than being expelled or sent to the principal's office, warnings represent opportunities for students to correct their behavior before the consequences escalate and they're removed from the learning environment," said University of Illinois social work professor Kate M. Wegmann, who led the study. Wegmann and her co-author, graduate student Brittanni Smith, examined data from more than 4,100 students at 17 schools. The students were sixth- through ninth- graders at schools in two North Carolina communities. Read More
How Side Hit to the Head Could Damage Brain, Lead to TBI, Concussion
Play contact sports for any length of time and at one point or another you're probably going to have your 'bell rung' by a powerful blow to the head from a hard hit or fall. Rising awareness of the severe, abiding repercussions of strong impacts to the head -- concussions, mild traumatic brain injury, neurological disorders -- have led scientists to focus on what exactly happens inside a skull during a big hit. Mehmet Kurt, a mechanical engineer at Stevens Institute of Technology who studies the biomechanics of the brain and the skull at rest and during rapid head movements, has now bioengineered simulations that track how the brain behaves upon impact, reconstructing the inertial stresses and strains that prevail inside a brain that's just been hit hard from the side. Read More
Major Changes in IEP Diagnosis and Classification for Children with Disabilities Proposed by NASET
The National Association of Special Education Teachers (NASET) is proposing major changes to the existing system in which children with disabilities are diagnosed and classified on EPs (Individual Educational Programs). This new system will provide all professionals working in the field of special education, college students preparing to work with children with special needs, administrators, college professors, parents, and students with disabilities the information necessary to adequately determine the most comprehensive, detailed, and precise diagnoses of disabilities or disorders seen in infants, toddlers, children, and adolescents, particularly in the educational environment. Read More
Parents of Children with Autism say South Dakota Governor Broke Her Promise to Them
Earlier this year, KELOLAND Investigates exposed why many children with autism were losing their insurance benefit to cover effective treatment. The state found a way to close the loophole that allowed insurers to drop coverage for the therapy. But the new requirements won't go into effect until 2021. Now several parents say Governor Kristi Noem broke her promise to them and their kids. Parents and autism advocates pushed for legislation in February to require that small group and individual insurance policies cover Applied Behavior Analysis, just like large group policies must do. Opponents argued that would open up a Pandora's Box, requiring insurance companies to cover just about everything. There was also a concern that it would affect what everyone in the State pays for insurance. But several mothers say the Governor gave them hope that even after the bill was killed, their kids could get this essential therapy sooner rather than later. Read More
Congratulations to: Heather Craddock, Al Slater, Olumide Akerele, Amy Ross Bradl, Jessica Uptegrove, Elizabeth Cicarelli-Rosa, Jen Rigby, Edmond Saint-Jean, Diane Campbell-Mitchell, Cindi Maurice, and Daniel Raydor who all knew the answer to last week's trivia question:
Answer: The Connecticut Asylum (at Hartford) for the Education and Instruction of Deaf and Dumb Persons
This Week's Trivia Question: Parents of children with disabilities often go out of their way to make creative Halloween costumes. This year, they will have the option to buy them at a big-name store. This company's Hyde and Eek! Boutique has unveiled two Halloween costumes adapted for wheelchair users. The company hopes they'll help even more children take part in the holiday fun. One of the collection's wheelchair covers transforms the chair into a purple princess carriage. The other turns the chair into a pirate ship, complete with a Jolly Roger flag and waves for the wheels. What is the name of the company?
If you know the answer to this week's trivia questions, email it to us at contactus@naset.org by August 12, 2019. If you are correct, you will be acknowledged in next week's NASET's Week in Review
Sailing Program Helps Children with Disabilities
18-year-old Charles Seabrooks was born with learning disabilities and severe spinal problems, which often limit his physical activity. However, thanks to the Adaptive Sports Academy at New York City's Hospital for Special Surgery, he's learning to use his body like never before in a hands-on sailing excursion. "That means I can see the view, the water, and talk to people and communicate a lot," Charles says. "He's going sailing, and it's like, a big experience for him. He's very excited," adds Charles' mother, Gloria Rios. Charles, along with four other physical therapy patients between ten and twenty years old, set sail in Oyster Bay's West Harbor. Each sailboat is equipped with an expert, as the students sit back with their ears open wide. "So we have this curvature, and what happens is the wind, when we're going upwind, is it goes faster on the outside and slower on the inside," explains sailing instructor Neil Sawhney. Read More
Families of Children with Rare Diseases Open to Advanced Care Plans with Caregiver Support
A novel palliative care intervention developed at Children's National Health System for caregivers of children and adolescents with rare diseases has shown preliminary success at helping families talk about potentially challenging medical decisions before a crisis occurs. "Our goal was to find out if it the tools we've developed are feasible and not too burdensome for the caregivers of children and adolescents with rare diseases," says Maureen Lyon, Ph.D., a clinical psychologist at Children's National who leads the Family Centered Advance Care Planning Team (FACE) within the Center for Translational Research at Children's National. "Developing the tool with their needs in mind was crucial because these families are already doing so much -- including many tasks that used to be only done in a hospital-inpatient setting." Read More
For Children Born with HIV, Adhering to Medication Gets Harder with Age
Children born with HIV in the U.S. were less likely to adhere to their medications as they aged from preadolescence to adolescence and into young adulthood, according to a new study led by researchers at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Additionally, the prevalence of detectable viral load -- an indication that the virus is not being managed by medications and a factor that's often associated with nonadherence -- also increased with age. The study is one of the first to examine why different age groups stop adhering to treatment (nonadherence). While the factors related to nonadherence varied by age group, youth who were concerned about side effects of the drugs were less likely to be adherent at most ages. Read More
6 Myths About Making Websites Accessible to People with Disabilities
Friday, July 26, marked the 29th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). When it was signed into law in 1990, no one anticipated the important role the internet would play in peoples' lives in the 21st century. "Web accessibility" is a term that means ensuring equal access to all content, transactions and merchandise on a website, regardless of a user's ability. Although Title III of the ADA defines standards for the physical locations of businesses to properly accommodate people with disabilities, it provides no guidance for the internet - or web-based and mobile applications - and many businesses are often left wondering specifically how it affects them. This lack of clarity hasn't slowed plaintiffs from citing Title III as the rationale for legal action related to web accessibility. In 2018, more than 2,550 federal lawsuits were filed against websites for ADA compliance issues, a tripling in number from 2017. This upward trend makes now the right time to consider whether you're falling for the six most common misconceptions about making your website and other digital assets accessible to people with disabilities. Read More
Study Finds Lower Stress, Depression Levels in Mothers of Children with Autism by Improving Relationships
Mothers of young children with autism who focus on improving the quality of their own relationship skills-as opposed to teaching developmental skills to their children-experience dramatic improvements in their level of parenting stress and depression. That's according to a new research study involving Case Western Reserve University. The study, co-authored by Gerald Mahoney, the Verna Houck Motto Professor of Families and Communities and associate dean for research and training at the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences, examined the effects of this technique in a small experimental research study involving 28 preschool-aged children with autism and their parents in Saudi Arabia. Read More
Students with a Greater Sense of School-Belonging are Less Likely to Become Bullies
Research has shown that, despite great efforts, one in three children continue to experience bullying in school. However, research also has indicated that environmental and psychological factors might play an important role in minimizing bullying behaviors. Now, researchers at the University of Missouri have found that students who feel a greater sense of belonging with their peers, family and school community are less likely to become bullies. Their findings suggest that parents and teachers should consider ways to create a supportive and accepting environment both at home and at school. Christopher Slaten and Chad Rose, associate professors in the MU College of Education, along with Jonathan Ferguson, a graduate candidate in the counseling psychology program, analyzed survey responses from more than 900 middle school students from rural schools throughout the U.S. The survey addressed their sense of belonging among peers, family and school community as well as bullying behavior. For example, they were asked if they upset others for the fun of it or if they spread rumors. Read More
Girls who are More Physically Active in Childhood May Have Better Lung Function in Adolescence
Physical activity has many well-known health benefits, but its association with lung function in childhood and adolescence is not well understood. A new study by the Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), a centre supported by "la Caixa," has for the first time demonstrated an association between regular physical activity during childhood and higher lung-function values in adolescent girls. The study, published in the International Journal of Epidemiology, examined the relationship between physical activity, from childhood to adolescence, and lung function in adolescence in 2,300 boys and girls participating in the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC), a United Kingdom-based birth cohort also known as "Children of the 90s." Read More
Finding a Cause of Neurodevelopmental Disorders
Neurodevelopmental disorders arising from rare genetic mutations can cause atypical cognitive function, intellectual disability, and developmental delays, yet it is unclear why and how this happens. Scientists suspected a mutation in a complex of proteins could be the culprit for a group of rare genetic disorders and, now, Salk Institute researchers have identified the molecular mechanism linking this mutation with abnormal nervous system development. The team's findings, published in Molecular Cell on July 30, 2019, bring researchers one step closer to understanding neurodevelopmental disorders, such as Nicolaides-Baraitser syndrome and others. "For the first time, we have been able to characterize the mechanism of a known gene mutation implicated in neurodevelopmental disorders," says Assistant Professor Diana Hargreaves, senior author and holder of the Richard Heyman and Anne Daigle Endowed Developmental Chair. Read More
Stressed at School? Art Therapy Reduces Teenage Girls' Headaches
Teenagers report higher levels of stress than adults, and cite school as the highest contributing factor, according to the American Psychological Association's annual report. A summary from 2013 concluded that while stress among Americans was not new, "what's troubling is the stress outlook for teens in the United States." In response, recently some schools have turned to mindfulness-based programs as a way to alleviate stress among their students. These programs could benefit from more research into what activities students find most useful. In a pilot study led by the University of Washington, researchers explored art-based mindfulness activities that schools could use to reduce headaches, a common side effect of stress in adolescent girls. The test group of eight teenage girls gave feedback on which activities they preferred. Read More
Birthweight, Height Together Provide Insight into Future Heart Health
It's the proportionately of a newborn -- a measure that includes both birthweight and length -- that may best tell doctors whether a child is born with an increased risk for heart problems later in life, investigators report. Birthweight, while important, tells only part of the story of fetal growth, while the additional consideration of length, gives a more complete picture of both fetal growth and growth trajectory, says Dr. Brian Stansfield, neonatologist at the Medical College of Georgia and Children's Hospital of Georgia at Augusta University. Measures called ponderal index, or PI, as well as the more widely used body mass index, or BMI, which both account for height and weight, likely provide a more accurate indication of fetal growth and what's ahead for the child, says Stansfield, corresponding author of the study the journal Early Human Development. Read More
New Japanese Legislator with Lou Gehrig's Disease Aims to Stop Abuse of Individuals with Disabilities
Yasuhiko Funago can't breathe or speak on his own. But he will have a voice in Japan's highest legislative body, and he aims to use it to help stop people with disabilities being marginalized or abused. The 61-year-old Mr. Funago, who is almost completely paralyzed due to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig's disease, won a seat in Parliament in recent elections and will enter the chamber for the first time when the legislature convenes Aug. 1. As the first person with ALS to be elected to Parliament in Japan, Mr. Funago hopes to inspire a greater understanding of people with disabilities and to improve the country's care facilities. "I want to convey to everyone with disabilities that there is no limit to their potential," Mr. Funago said in an interview. Read More
Districts Offering Financial Incentives for Paraprofessionals to Fill Special Education Roles
Denver Public Schools is getting a jump start on filling positions for special education paraprofessionals this year by raising pay to $15 per hour and providing five days of summer training for aides who work with students who have autism or emotional disabilities. Typically, the district - which has about 10,000 students with disabilities - starts the year with dozens of openings for these roles, which can put special needs students behind academically. To better serve this student group, the district has created a task force of teachers, parents and advocates, and it is also looking to include students with disabilities in traditional classrooms after the school board passed a resolution pushing for more inclusive practices. Read More
* Special Education Teacher - Wilmington, DE - The Invo-Progressus Team has incredible opportunities for Special Education Teachers...or, as we like to call them, Superheroes. If you use your super powers to help ensure that children have access to the best education possible in the least restrictive environment, we would love for you to join the Invo-Progressus team! We are currently seeking full-time Teachers with a Certification in Special Education in Wilmington, DE to provide services during the 2019-2020 School Year. Call 800-892-0640 today to speak with a dedicated Career Services Manager! To learn more - Click here
* Special Education Teacher - Philadelphia, PA - The Invo-Progressus Team has incredible opportunities for Special Education Teachers...or, as we like to call them, Superheroes. If you use your super powers to help ensure that children have access to the best education possible in the least restrictive environment, we would love for you to join the Invo-Progressus team! We are currently seeking full-time Special Education Teachers in Philadelphia, PA for the 2019-2020 School Year. Call 800-892-0640 today to speak with a dedicated Career Services Manager! To learn more - Click here
* Special Education Teacher - Bartow, FL - The Invo-Progressus Team has incredible opportunities for Special Education Teachers...or, as we like to call them, Superheroes. If you use your super powers to help ensure that children have access to the best education possible. To learn more - Click here
* Special Education Teacher - Wake up every morning knowing you have the power and the tools to change lives. EBS is the employer of choice for special education teachers who truly want to help children learn, evolve, and grow. Join us, and we'll give you everything you need to fuel your passion as a special education teacher. To learn more - Click here
When you make loving others the story of your life, there's never a final chapter, because the legacy continues. You lend your light to one person, and he or she shines it on another and another and another.


June brings us the start of winter, with colder, wetter weather, but there are still some sunny days to be had, winter vegies to harvest, and some tidying up to do around the garden.
As deciduous trees and shrubs shed their leaves and become dormant, it's a good time to both plant new ones and prune existing ones. Winter pruning of deciduous fruit trees and grape vines begins now.
Harsh cold winds can be a problem, drying out plants very quickly, so it's important to put up windbreaks such as plastic sleeve tree guards or shadecloth around young evergreen trees to prevent wind burn.
In frost-prone areas, vulnerable plants will need to be protected. When frost is anticipated, cover the plant overnight with hessian, shadecloth, plastic sheet, cardboard, straw or newspaper – make sure that the cover is not airtight and that air can still circulate.
Plant deciduous trees, shrubs, vines and cane fruits (and roses!). Wait till spring for planting citrus.
Divide existing perennials and plant new perennials.
Gather and compost fallen leaves.
Protect plants that are not frost-hardy in frost-prone areas.
Install windbreaks, such as the plastic tree guard sleeves, around newly planted evergreens.
Prune deciduous fruit trees (not apricots, best to prune these in late autumn when the leaves start yellowing, during dry, preferably windy weather to prevent diseases entering the pruning cuts). To prune fruit trees, first cut away any dead or diseased wood, then cut away any branches growing inwards towards the centre or crossing other branches (to prevent rubbing and bark damage), and finally, prune tree to shape using the appropriate technique for that species.
Prune deciduous shrubs (rose pruning is done in July!) and vines (such as kiwi fruit).
Prune grape vines and take hardwood cuttings from these for propagation.
Finish pruning currants and gooseberries and take hardwood cuttings from these for propagation.
Prune tall shrubs to reduce height to better resist winter winds.
Relocate any deciduous plants (trees, shrubs, vines) or herbaceous perennial plants growing in the wrong place in winter. (Evergreens can only be moved in autumn and early spring, where they have time to regrow roots – remember, they retain leaves in winter which transpire and lose water!).
Some perennials can be propagated from root cuttings, which can be taken through winter.
Continue propagation of hardwood cuttings which began in autumn – prune off 30cm long shoots of current season's growth, cut off the soft growing tip, cut off the bottom end below a bud, and dip end into rooting hormone. Make a 'slit trench' by pushing a spade into soil and rocking it back and forth. In clay soil, add some coarse sand for drainage. Put cuttings in so 2/3 is below the soil, and press the soil down around them. Cuttings will root and be ready to plant next autumn.
Harvest parsnips, they will taste the better now that they have experienced some cold.
This entry was posted in Gardening Calendar, What's New! and tagged Gardening Calendar (Australian Temperate Climate) - June. Bookmark the permalink.


Start taking classes at Be. Yoga and other studios!
Be. Yoga brings the yoga studio to you. The benefits of yoga are endless. Health, flexibility, mindfulness and peace are just a few possibilities. Whether you are a brand new beginner or an advanced practitioner private instruction is an amazing opportunity to bring out your best self.
Please bring a yoga mat and town with you to class. If you don't have your own mat there are several available to borrow from the studio.
Be. Yoga is located on Sussex Turnpike, between Old Brookside Rd and Devonshire Dr.


After many years of second place finishes, the Diamond team won the 2016 USBC and was the USBF representative to the Open Teams in the 2016 World Bridge Games, where they finished 5-8 after losing a controversial match to Spain.
John Diamond is a former options trader who lives in Boca Raton, FL with his wife and two children.
John has a master's degree in physics and is also an avid computer programmer.
John's partnership with Brian Platnick began in 1988, and together they have won the 1991 World Junior Championships, the 2012 Blue Ribbon Pairs, and both the 2010 Spingold and the 2010 Rosenblum with Eric Greco, Geoff Hampson, Brad Moss and Fred Gitelman.
John has also won two Open Swiss Teams, two Open Pairs, placed 2nd twice in the Vanderbilt, and received a Bronze medal in the 2014 Rosenblum.
Brian Platnick is an option trader who lives in Evanston, IL with his wife and 2 children. He and his brother David started playing tournaments in high school. Then in 1988, Brian and John Diamond formed a partnership with the goal of competing in the World Junior Championships which they won in 1991.
In 2008, Brian started playing "serious" bridge again when he joined the Diamond team (John Diamond, Eric Greco, Geoff Hampson, Brad Moss and Fred Gitelman). They had success quickly with a 2nd place finish in the 2008 Vanderbilt followed by victories in the 2010 Spingold, 2010 Rosenblum and in 2012, Brian & JD won the Blue Ribbon Pairs.
In 2014, Brian competed in his 3rd world championship winning his 3rd medal, a bronze in the Rosenblum.
Eric Alan Greco was born July 21, 1975, in Englund, Florida. He graduated from the University of Virginia with a degree in Finance and Accounting and now lives in Philadelphia and works as an equity options trader on the Philadelphia Options Exchange.
In 1991, Eric won the North American Non-Life Master Pairs playing with his father, Philip Greco. Two years later, they won the Flight 'B' Grand National Teams.
Eric first represented the USA at the 1993 World Junior Teams in Denmark, aged just 18. He collected a Bronze medal there and, six years later, added a Silver medal from the same event. In January 2000, while still technically a Junior, he finished fifth in the World Transnational Teams in Bermuda. In 2005, he added a bronze in the Bermuda Bowl to his medal collection.
Away from the table, Eric follows most sports.
Geoff has been a full time professional bridge player for over 20 years. Now engaged to Lindsay Pearlman, Geoff lives in Las Vegas with his Newfoundland dog Atlas.
Geoff's first WBF medal came when he finished second in the 1991 World Junior Teams in Ann Arbor, Michigan, playing for Canada. A year later, he finished second in the Pan-American Games Open Teams in partnership with John Gowdy. After moving to the United States, Geoff added a gold medal in the 2010 Rosenblum and bronze medals in the 2005 Bermuda Bowl and 2014 Rosenblum.
Geoff won his first major domestic event at just 22 - the Canadian National Teams Championship, playing with John Gowdy. A year later, he claimed his first NABC title - the North American Swiss, playing with Mark Molson. He has since added 15 NABC titles to that one, including 2 Spingolds, the Reisinger and the Life Master Pairs.
Away from the table, Geoff is a serious movie buff and cyclist, who keeps in shape with time in the gym and on the golf course. His return to the Squash court was cut short when he ruptured his Achilles Tendon in 2013.


Ann Marie Thomas, Author: Intruders is Published!
After more years than I care to remember, Intruders is finally available as an ebook and in print. I know it's very bad writing, but I want to use lots of exclamation marks because I'm so excited!!!
The ebook is available now on Amazon for £2.07, but if you wait until Tuesday it will be free til Sunday. The reason I'm giving it away is to get lots of downloads and hopefully, reviews. After that it will be 99p and eventually rise to £1.99.
The print book, 300 pages, is available on Create Space, for £8.99, and will appear on Amazon in the next few days.
Tabitha Enns is given work experience on board the Kestrel, on the adventure of her life, that will push her to the limit. Tabitha gets to meet her first aliens, but it doesn't go smoothly, and being out in space isn't what she expected. When a hostile alien species are discovered, the Kestrel is sent to make contact, leading the crew – and Tabitha – into danger, and the crew have problems with their friends as well as their enemies. Why did a dying man say, 'butterfly'? Who exactly is the mysterious injured woman, and what is her connection to the hostile aliens threatening not only the Kestrel's crew but the entire galaxy?
I hope you've enjoyed the book so far as I've been blogging every week, I hope you'll go and get the whole thing. And when you've read it, I hope you'll leave an honest review on Amazon.


The competition law (Law 12529/2011), in effect since May 29, 2012, brought about profound changes in the Brazilian competition system, particularly in merger control cases. These changes comprise the structural reform in Brazil's competition authority (the Administrative Council for Economic Defense, CADE, also currently known as the "New CADE"), new criteria for the notification of merger cases1, and the legal requirement for CADE's prior approval as a condition precedent for consummation of deals.
Business persons, lawyers and the New CADE authorities have been faced with challenges to keep up with those changes. Merger filings to New CADE now call for delivery of a wide range and robust volume of documents and information when compared to those under the previous system.
The volume of information and documents provided by the parties will depend on the complexity of deals from an antitrust perspective. In this respect, depending on the procedure to be adopted, there are two types of "notification forms". When it comes to the fast-track review procedure form (i.e. the form for non-complex deals that are likely to have minor potential to harm competition2, as set forth in the New CADE rules), in addition to submitting the relevant contracts, as already required under the former system, the parties must provide a "list of all other documents produced in connection with the deal".
iii. With respect to the activities carried out by the parties, they must submit all documents on the competitive positioning of the company and of its competitors; supply and demand conditions; dispute for clients; strategic behavior (price, sale, launching, innovation, entries/exits etc.); reporting on anticompetitive behavior of companies in the relevant market; effects on supply, demand, cost, price, product/service attributes caused by another directly and potentially competing product or service; industry estimations, market assessment studies; marketing report, business report, brand promotion plans and strategies, product positioning or other similar report; and strategic planning, business plan, expansion plan, downsizing plan, and any other similar plan. Under the previous law, the Brazilian competition authorities did not require such a type and range of documents.
This change, however, is in keeping with the practice adopted in more advanced jurisdictions, as it happens in the United States of America. In other words, where complex deals are involved, the parties must submit a wide range of documents on the deal and/or on the affected market, including information memoranda, presentations, e-mails, documents submitted to public bodies (such as the Securities and Exchange Commission - SEC) and other strategic planning and marketing documents. This also occurs in the European Union.
Within this scenario, companies, investment banks, external advisers and other agents involved must, especially in the course of negotiating M&A deals, be even more careful in drafting not only the relevant contracts, but also other documents substantiating the deal and the market involved.
Poorly written documents containing a language which defines market more restrictively or which defines market competitors improperly in a manner inconsistent with the truly existing competitive scenario, or otherwise containing expressions used oftentimes for marketing and promotion of the deal, suggesting, for instance, that this deal will "hamper competition" or will enable "price stabilization or increase" etc, may be viewed by the competition authorities as indications that the notified deal is likely to limit or lessen free competition, especially when considering that the parties themselves made this inference.
In addition, poorly written documents might increase the review timeline for mergers as a more detailed investigation will be required, strongly impacting upon the pre-merger approval mechanism introduced by the new law, more so when it comes to transactions actually falling within the meaning of non-complex deals.
Another risk involved in poorly drafted documents is to expose the parties to gun jumping issues. For example, contractual clauses that could be interpreted as indication of some integration between the parties prior to CADE`s approval or any type influence of one party over the strategic business aspects of the other party, could constitute gun jumping. Sanctions for gun jumping under the Competition Law may include a fine between R$ 60 thousand and R$ 60 million, the commencement of administrative proceedings and nullity of acts prior to CADE`s review4.
Finally, one cannot disregard the risk that poorly drafted documents may subject companies and individuals to investigations into potentially anticompetitive practices which may culminate in substantial penalties, in the administrative sphere (fines) as well as in the civil and criminal spheres. Moreover, one must take due account of questions involving disclosure of sensitive information pertaining to the parties or to the deal (even if the confidentiality of certain documents may be ensured by CADE under applicable laws).
In other jurisdictions, documents containing sensitive or doubtful wording were actually used by the competition authorities as indications that the notified deals would generate negative effects (this is illustrated by the US cases involving Whole Foods/Wild Oats; Office Depot/Staples; and AT&T/T-Mobile). In those deals, analysis of market-related matters conducted internally by the companies supported the competent authorities' conclusion that the deals were likely to limit competition in the markets involved.
What precautions should be taken in practice to avoid creating bad documents? First and foremost, preventive work (via compliance program) is essential to train executives and executive professionals of companies, investment banks and external advisers and consultants in general about the risks involved in poorly written communications. By doing so, companies can rest assured that all parties involved in a potential deal are aware that poorly drafted documents might impair the approval process of a certain deal or create (in more extreme circumstances) other contingencies arising out of potential investigations into practices in restraint of trade.
The involvement of a team of lawyers and economists knowledgeable in competition matters since the inception of negotiations, specifically in drafting strategic documents on market-related aspects of the deal, will ensure that the language of the documents offer a true picture of the market competitive conditions actually in place5.
The company must also establish a well-defined record-keeping policy in connection with retention of drafts, mark-ups and personal notes taken at meetings containing potentially ambiguous wording.
In conclusion, as a result of the change in merger filing criteria in Brazil, the implementation of the pre-merger review process, and the requirement for a large volume of documents on the deal and on the market involved, Brazil's competition authority has raised the bar for review of M&A deals, with greater focus on the "facts" potentially disclosed in the documents submitted by the parties (to the detriment of purely economic theories), in line with the merger review guidelines adopted in more advanced jurisdictions in this matter.
Deals must be notified for CADE's prior approval if, on a cumulative basis: (i) at least one of the groups involved in the deal has posted, on the latest balance sheet, an annual gross turnover in Brazil that is equal to or above R$ 750 million, in the year before that of the deal; and (ii) at least another group involved in the deal has posted, on the latest balance sheet, an annual gross turnover in Brazil that is equal to or above R$ 75 million, in the year before that of the deal. In these events, the parties cannot consummate/close the deal until CADE's clearance.
They mainly comprise deals not creating market concentration or where horizontal concentration is below 20% of a certain relevant market and/or vertical integration is below 30%.
For instance, deals resulting in market concentration of 20% or more of a certain relevant market.
In this respect, CADE has recently issued some guidelines on gun jumping in an attempt to lay down rules to avoid gun jumping and reduce the uncertainly created in the market.
Phrases and expressions causing "impact" and aggressive marketing language, such as "dominate", "control", "monopo¬lize," must be used carefully. Some precaution must also be taken about using the word "market" incorrectly, when actually intending to describe sales of a certain product, a business unit or a market segment and not a relevant market as such is defined by the competition authorities. This generally creates overestimated market shares that are unrelated to the competitiveness in fact existing in a given market.


General Electric Co. said Monday that it has agreed to sell its Chicago-based subsidiary, North American Co. for Life and Health Insurance, to a group of investors headed by former ITT Corp. Chairman Harold S. Geneen.
The all-cash deal is for ''approximately $200 million,'' said Thomas Roberts of the Dallas law firm Moore & Peterson, which is representing the Geneen group. The transaction, subject to approval by insurance regulators, should be completed by year-end, Roberts said.
The Geneen group will form a corporation to acquire the insurance company, GE said.
North American Co. was a unit of RCA Corp., which was acquired by GE for $6.46 billion in June. A GE spokesman said RCA had been seeking a buyer for North American Co. before the merger, ''so this is just a completion.'' He indicated GE never had an interest in retaining the insurance operations.
Geneen left ITT`s board of directors in 1983, and since then his name has popped up frequently as a buyer. Acting with various investment partners, he has acquired a variety of retailing operations, but Roberts said the insurance deal also dovetails with Geneen`s background.
ITT had insurance and other services operations among its many subsidiaries, Roberts noted.
Other members of Geneen`s investment group also ''are very familiar with the financial services industry and believe that area is a very attractive investment right now,'' Roberts said.
North American Co., which writes mostly individual life insurance, had assets of about $700 million at the end of 1985, Roberts said.


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Dawn Huebner
Dawn Huebner, PhD, is a Clinical Psychologist who specializes in working with anxious children and their parents. She is the author of five What To Do Guides For Kids, including the award-winning What To Do When You Worry Too Much. She is a resident of Exeter, New Hampshire.
Most Popular books By Dawn Huebner
What to Do When You Worry Too Much: A Kid's Guide to Overcoming Anxiety
What to Do When Your Temper Flares: A Kid's Guide to Overcoming Problems with Anger
What to Do When Your Brain Gets Stuck: A Kid's Guide to Overcoming OCD
What to Do When You Dread Your Bed: A Kid's Guide to Overcoming Problems with Sleep
Outsmarting Worry: An Older Kid's Guide to Managing Anxiety
#213 in Young Adult Nonfiction Books
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What to Do When You Worry Too Much: A...
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Facing Mighty Fears about Health
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Facing Mighty Fears about Throwing Up


The Politics of Food and Why Trade Deals Matter"
A Brief History of U.S. Food Production and its Impact on Race and Politics"
According to the latest United Nations estimate, by 2050, the demand for food worldwide is expected to increase more than 60 percent as the world population reaches more than 9 billion. I gave my thoughts on the impact of increased food demand on U.S. families and my assessment of the Trump Administration's decision to pull out of the Paris Climate Accord and the threat to pull out of (or renegotiate) the North America Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and other international trade agreements. I spoke on October 7, 2017, to the Virginia Global Affairs Forum in Chantilly, Virginia.
The Islamic Food and Nutrition Council of America (IFANCA) invited me to speak at its annual Halal Conference in April 2017 on the Global Market for Halal Foods. Food trade experts estimate that the global market for halal foods now exceeds one trillion USD. I talked about the market potential and the opportunities and challenges for companies that want to access that growing market. The conference was in Rosemont, Illinois outside of Chicago.
Euromoney Institutional Investor based in London invited me to speak at its Global Grain Middle East North Africa conference in May 2017 in Dubai about recent changes in GCC regulations that might impact grain products trade in the Middle East. The audience comprised mostly of grain traders were unaware of the GCC Guide. Thus, I informed them about the potential impact of the Guide.
In 2015, the Government of the United Arab Emirates invited me to speak at its World Food Security Summit on "How to Ensure World Food Security." My presentation garnered a lot of media attention evident by at least five media outlets interviewing me after my speech.


Why is buying a pilot watch from Tailwinds a better experience?
It's simple. We're pilots selling only pilot watches. Ever since we helped Casio develop the Triple Sensor Watch (it was our idea) we noticed that lots of retailers sell watches designed for aviators without knowing anything whatsoever about the product or the technology. We pick only quality, useful watches at great prices. We understand the aviation terminology when it comes to the more technical watches, and can help make recommendations for folks unfamiliar with the technology.


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Radco Operations records 3.61% decrease in production in August 2021
Radco Operations recorded a decrease of 3.61% in total oil and gas production to 222.29 boe/d in August 2021 when compared with the previous month, according to GlobalData's USL48 database.
The oil and gas production of Radco Operations grew 55.07% in August 2021 from 143.35 boe/d in August 2020.
The company's oil production declined 3.61% to 222.29 bd in August 2021 from the previous month. On a YTD basis, oil production increased by 32.19% in 2021 when compared with the same period in 2020. Out of the total oil and gas production in August 2021, oil production held a 100% share.
Looking at the states where Radco Operations recorded the highest oil and gas production in August 2021, Texas figured at the top, accounting for a 100% share. The company produced 222.29 boe/d in the state in August 2021, a decrease of 3.61% from the previous month.
On a YTD basis, the company produced 1,773.5 boe/d in Texas in 2021, recording an increase of 32.19% from the same period in 2020.
Radco Operations witnessed the highest oil and gas production in Hardin county in August 2021. Out of all the counties, Hardin county held a share of 100% for the firm. The company produced 222.29 boe/d in Hardin county in August 2021, a decrease of 3.61% in production when compared with the previous month.
On a YTD basis, the county produced 1,773.5 boe/d for the company in 2021, a 32.19% increase from the same period in 2020.
PaR Marine
Custom Marine Auxiliary Equipment, Fireproof Modular Living Quarters and Door Systems
Westech
Lifting Equipment for Offshore Scaffolding Applications
Barriquand Technologies Thermiques
PLATULAR® All-Welded Plate Heat Exchangers


Providing a convenient and exceptional experience for the customer has always been at the core of our business. Before family cars were common, we had twenty locations with stores only ten miles apart to accommodate customer needs. Now that our customers aren't arriving via horse and wagon, Schoeneman's has a two convenient locations: Sioux Falls and Harrisburg.
The next time you need building, remodeling, or repair products – no matter how large or small – remember the Schoeneman's jingle: "You can always do it right with Schoeneman's."


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Аугуст Рейнберг (латис. Augusts Reinbergs; 28 березня 1860 — 30 липня 1908) — латвійський архітектор.
 Рейнберг, Райнберг (нім. Rheinberg) — місто в Німеччині, знаходиться в землі Північний Рейн-Вестфалія.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


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Ford Fiesta is Europe's best selling car
Published on Thursday, June 1st, 2017 at 1:57 pm
The Ford Fiesta is the best-selling car in Europe, according to Ford analysis of March 2017 industry data.
Customers purchased 47,000 Fiestas in March, a 12 per cent increase year-over-year, to overtake the Volkswagen Golf as the region's top-selling passenger car.
Almost 70 per cent of Fiesta sales in March were high-specification models, including 17 per cent in top specification Titanium series.
Fiesta sales helped fuel a new car registration boom in Europe that saw a record 1.93 million sales in March – a 10.8 per cent increase year-over-year. Europe has now overtaken the U.S. to become the world's second largest region for new car registrations.
Ford sold 199,900 vehicles in Europe in March (up 14 per cent year-over-year), including 156,200 passenger vehicles (up 16 per cent year-over-year). This makes Ford the second best-selling vehicle brand in Europe with a total vehicle market share of 9.2 per cent.
"Fiesta was again our best-selling vehicle in March, making up 12 per cent of Ford total vehicle sales.
Customers continue to be attracted by Fiesta's distinctive style, powerful but fuel-efficient engines, and class-leading fun to drive character," said Roelant de Waard (Vice President, Marketing, Sales and Service, Ford of Europe). "March was a stand-out month for Ford in Europe, with sales increases across the board."
Of Europe's five largest markets for car sales – Germany, the U.K., France, Italy and Spain – Spain recorded the most significant growth for Fiesta with sales increasing 97 per cent year-over-year in March.
In Italy, Fiesta sales increased 21 per cent and in Germany 18 per cent year-over year. The UK – where Fiesta is the best-selling vehicle nameplate of all time – saw a sales increase of eight per cent year-over-year, while Hungary, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Romania, Switzerland and the Netherlands also recorded significant increases in Fiesta registrations.
All-new Fiesta
The all-new Ford Fiesta goes on sale in Europe this summer offering four distinctive versions, including the stylish Fiesta Titanium, the Ford Performance-inspired Fiesta ST-Line and the upscale Fiesta Vignale.
An all-new Fiesta Active crossover – the first in a new line-up of Active vehicles to be rolled out across the Ford range in years to come – and the next-generation Ford Fiesta ST, powered by an all-new 200 PS, three-cylinder, 1.5-litre EcoBoost engine, will follow in early 2018.
Featuring the most sophisticated driver assistance technologies and connectivity features ever in a volume small car in Europe, all-new Fiesta debuts an enhanced Pedestrian Detection system that can help prevent collisions at night; and the first Ford Active Park Assist system that can deliver brake interventions to prevent low-speed bumps when parking hands-free.
Cutting-edge powertrains include Ford's multi-award winning 1.0-litre EcoBoost petrol engine offering up to 140 PS, and a 1.5-litre TDCi diesel offering 120 PS – the first high-power diesel Fiesta powertrain.
Other articles in 'Motoring'
Mercedes-Benz surpasses its sales record for March
Carrick-on-Suir Motor Club celebrates 60th anniversary
"Business Looks Good, but beware of Brexit"
Ford introduces Omnicraft brand for servicing
VW's new up! GTI
Mercedes-Benz backing Jack & Jill Foundation
SIMI issues industry review for 2016
'Car registrations heading for 25 per cent increase'
Free cars up for grabs as Nissan backs Waterford's champions


Walking your dog is no longer just a way to meet your dog's bathroom needs. I came across this interesting research shows that dog owners walk an average of 300 minutes (5 hours) a week whereas people without dogs walk about 168 minutes (less than 3 hours) a week. Look as if an indirect benefits of having a dog will actually make you walk more. It is better than sitting at the couch watching TV.
I do not have a dog at home, not because I do not like dog, but because my current place does not have the room for it. My brother has a Rottweiler and he told me that he walks his dog twice a day. The dog loves it. When the dog was younger, he used to run with my brother, but now, he is getting older and getting slower nowadays.
Carry water for both you and the pet. You can use your hand as water dish for the dog.
Take the dog out in the late evening. If you are walking the dog in the afternoon, find a shady place.
Get your friend and his dog to walk together. Not only you have someone to talk to, but it will also provide your pooch with canine companionship too.
You can get a pedometer to help you recording how many steps you have made while walking your dog.
Though walking a dog may make you exercise more, do not get a dog purely for that reason. Having a dog adds more responsibility, in terms of your time and money.