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December 28, 2021 report
In a neuroprosthetic first, ALS patient sends social media message via brain-computer interface
by Bob Yirka , Tech Xplore
Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain
Philip O'Keefe, a 62-year-old amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patient in Australia recently became the first person to post a message on social media using only his thoughts. On December 23, he posted an initial brief message, "Hello World," on Twitter.
The technology that allowed O'Keefe to send his message was developed by brain computer interface company, Synchron—the device is called the Stentrode Brain Computer Interface (SBCI); a type of endovascular brain implant. It was implanted into O'Keefe's brain without opening his skull—instead, it was inserted through his jugular vein. The tiny (8 mm) brain implant was designed to allow people who have lost the ability to speak to communicate using only their thoughts. The SBCI is wireless and works by reading brainwaves and translating them to words—the motor neuroprosthesis was placed into O'Keefe's brain using techniques that have been used for several years to treat people with strokes. Human clinical trials have been underway in Australia for over a year—currently, the device has been implanted in just one other person, but more are planned.
O'Keefe, like other ALS patients, experienced progressive paralysis, which left him unable to speak earlier this year. The SBCI was implanted in April and he began using it to communicate shortly thereafter—he is now able to compose messages by thinking of words or actions (such as mouse clicks), which are translated to activity on a computer screen. His history-making social media message was posted on Twitter using Synchron CEO Thomas Oxley's account. His initial message was followed up by a lengthier text detailing how he had come to embrace the new technology. He also noted that he is hoping that his involvement in the SBCI program will help to pave the way for new kinds of technology that will allow those who have lost the ability to speak or move to regain their independence.
Officials with Synchron have noted in the past that they plan to expand on the SBCI to include development of devices that can be used to diagnose and perhaps even treat conditions such as Parkinson's, hypertension, epilepsy and even depression.
Five Australian patients to trial new brain reading device to help speech and movement
© 2021 Science X Network
Citation: In a neuroprosthetic first, ALS patient sends social media message via brain-computer interface (2021, December 28) retrieved 16 January 2022 from https://techxplore.com/news/2021-12-neuroprosthetic-als-patient-social-media.html
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Small brain device proves big game changer for severely paralysed patients
How thoughts could one day control electronic prostheses, wirelessly
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Would Killing the Filibuster Actually Kill Democracy?
by Governing Magazine | Dec 29, 2021 | Solutions, Money and Politics, Opinions
Claude Rains and Jimmy Stewart in Mr. Smith Goes to Washington.
Filibusters do occur in some state legislatures, but they rarely succeed in blocking legislation. Unlike the U.S. Senate, most state legislatures still operate on the Founders' majoritarian principles.
Republished with permission from Governing Magazine, by David J. Toscano
No holiday season would be complete without a homage to Jimmy Stewart and "It's a Wonderful Life." But as Congress once again appears gridlocked on critical issues like voting rights, perhaps Stewart's famous filibuster in "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington" is also worth another look. The use of the technique by Stewart's character, U.S. Sen. Jefferson Smith, was portrayed in the 1939 film as heroic, a celebration of the "common man" and an effort to protect the minority against the tyranny of the majority.
But Jefferson Smith's 25-hour "talking filibuster" is nothing like how it is practiced today in D.C., whereby a single senator can compel almost any measure to gain 60 votes for passage — or even debate. Today's Senate filibuster is an anti-majoritarian and opaque process that does not even require a senator to speak against a bill to prevent its passage.
To argue for a change or abolition of the filibuster is perceived in some circles as almost anti-American. Yet most democratic assemblies in this country do not have anything resembling the present approach to the filibuster in the U.S. Senate. In fact, most state legislatures have enacted rules that make filibustering to kill legislation almost impossible, and only seven states mirror U.S. Senate rules in requiring the votes of 60 percent of their members to end debate. None allow the "silent filibuster" that is found in Congress.
Filibusters do still occur in states, but mostly are much shorter and usually do not the prevent the majority from getting its way. In most cases, they essentially serve as protests that can be effective in marshaling public opinion in support of a position. Few can forget the 11-hour filibuster by Texas state Sen. Wendy Davis in 2013 to oppose the enactment of restrictive abortion legislation. Under the legislative rules, Davis was required to stand and talk continuously or she would lose the floor, and with it the vote; even leaning on her desk could bring the filibuster to an end.
Word of the Davis filibuster spread like wildfire through social media. People from across the country flooded the Senate with messages of support, and advocates packed the gallery in hopes that the senator's aim would be achieved — that she could talk beyond the constitutional deadline for the end of the legislative session, thereby killing the bill. Even then-President Obama provided support, tweeting that "something special is happening in Austin tonight" and providing a link to the Texas Senate's live video stream. Davis's filibuster succeeded; she was able to run out the clock and defeat the bill. But her success was short-lived; in the next session, the Legislature passed the same measure.
The Texas Senate does not require a supermajority to stop debate, but a lawmaker can hold the floor as long as he or she remains standing and continues to speak on the issue before the body; in 1977, Texas Sen. Bill Meier mounted a 43-hour filibuster to oppose a bill restricting access to public records. If Texas' U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz were a state senator, he would never have been able, as he did during a 2013 filibuster, to read Dr. Seuss' Green Eggs and Ham to his children at bedtime; the rules of Texas and most other states would simply not permit it.
'A Pertinacious Minority'
One explanation for these stricter rules in the states is historical. State legislatures have always had a stronger majoritarian streak than the U.S. Senate. At least 12 state constitutions had been adopted prior to our federal charter, and included many more elements of direct democracy.
Founders like James Madison and Thomas Jefferson argued strongly for majoritarian principles; one reason why many leaders wanted to change the Articles of Confederation is that they included provisions that allowed the minority to scuttle the will of the majority. Our constitutional convention specifically rejected proposals that would have required a supermajority vote before sending legislation to the president. Madison believed that majority rule was a basic republican principle. While not using the term "filibuster," Alexander Hamilton nonetheless argued in Federalist 22 that "If a pertinacious minority can control the opinion of a majority … and thus … the smaller number will overrule that of the greater … then the measures of government must be injuriously suspended, or fatally defeated … [and] its situation must always savor of weakness, sometimes border upon anarchy."
Jefferson even wrote a treatise on parliamentary procedure that is still cited in state capitols and from which many legislative rules designed to end debate have been developed. Using English parliamentary practice as a guide, Jefferson argued that lawmakers should not be permitted "to speak impertinently or beside the question, superfluously or tediously" and gave lawmakers many techniques for ending debate. Motions to call "the previous question" or "the present question," arcane as they sound, are the types of rules in states that both prevent legislative gridlock and protect majoritarian rule. Jefferson's rules were initially adopted by the U.S. Congress. The Senate, however, abandoned the rule allowing a motion to call the previous question in the early 1800s. But many states still retain the rule or something like it.
In some states, rules for ending debate are deeply imbedded in the political culture of the legislature. Virginia, for example, has no supermajority requirement to end debate, and sees few filibusters, the longest of which purportedly was a five-and-a-half-hour exercise by Sen. Willard Moody in 1981. Debate on bills is typically robust and can be lengthy, but when the motion is made to call the present question to force a vote, it is occasionally greeted with applause, and a simple majority then votes to end discussion. Virginia democracy has survived over 400 years with no Washington-style filibuster.
Useful Vehicles for Protest
Filibusters such as the 37-hour marathon mounted by Missouri Democrats in 2015 against anti-gay legislation can be useful vehicles for protest, but rarely derail legislation that has majority support. The Show Me State so rarely sees this practice that a motion to call the previous question and end a debate, though in the rules for years, has been described as the "nuclear option."
State filibusters are more prevalent in legislatures such as Alabama's, South Carolina's and Nebraska's where supermajority votes are necessary to end debate. But, with the exception of the uniquely unicameral Nebraska Legislature, filibusters rarely succeed even in those states. Many not only impose time limits on debate but have Republican supermajorities that can usually bring discussion to a close. Recent filibusters in Alabama against medical marijuana and voting rights fell apart, for example, after proponents prevailed on procedural motions to compel votes.
South Carolina experienced a 100-hour filibuster in 1966 to protest a reapportionment plan, and more recently witnessed use of the technique in several consecutive sessions to temporarily block a bill to ban most abortions in the state. The measure finally passed this year, and Republicans took that as an opportunity to change the rules to reduce the ease of filibusters.
The experience with the filibuster in the states provides clear evidence that ending the Washington practice would not destroy democracy as we know it. If you want a better model of the filibuster that respects minority rights without destroying majoritarian principles, look to the states.
David J. Toscano, an attorney, is a former member of the Virginia House of Delegates and the author of Fighting Political Gridlock: How States Shape Our Nation and Our Lives.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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Donald Trump Says He'll Sue the Women Who Accused Him of Sexual Misconduct
By Nicholas Hautman
Donald Trump stands on stage after the third U.S. presidential debate at the Thomas & Mack Center on Oct. 19, 2016, in Las Vegas. ROBYN BECK/AFP/Getty Images
Donald Trump said on Saturday, October 22, that he plans to sue the women who accused him of sexual misconduct following the release of his now-infamous lewd 2005 video.
"Every woman lied when they came forward to hurt my campaign," the Republican presidential candidate, 70, said during an appearance in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. "Total fabrication. The events never happened. Never. All of these liars will be sued after the election is over."
PHOTOS: Donald Trump's Most Offensive and Outrageous Quotes Ranked
"But a simple phone call placed to the biggest newspapers or television networks gets them wall-to-wall coverage with virtually no fact-checking whatsoever," Trump continued.
The real estate mogul then pointed the finger at his opponent, Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton. "It was probably the [Democratic National Committee] and Hillary's campaign who put forward these liars with their fabricated stories," he said on Saturday. "But we'll probably find out later through litigation, which we're so looking forward to."
PHOTOS: 12 Times Donald Trump Has Body-Shamed Stars Over the Years
The sexual misconduct allegations came after a 2005 recording of Trump bragging about groping women, during a conversation with Billy Bush, was released online by The Washington Post in early October. In the days following, at least 10 women came forward with claims that Trump inappropriately touched them over the past 30 years.
An 11th accuser is set to hold a press conference in Los Angeles at 2 p.m. local time on Saturday with her attorney, Gloria Allred. The news conference marks the first time the female accuser, who has not yet been identified, will speak publicly about her allegations against Trump.
PHOTOS: Stars at Court
The businessman has repeatedly denied the sexual misconduct allegations.


Rod one of the beautiful cockerels at Back into Daylight Animal Sanctuary . We are so lucky to have such wonderful friends like Rod.
Dawn at Back into Daylight animal sanctuary cockerels looking forward to a good day.
The daily coming and going at the sanctuary all action.


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Created by: AYAN
I remember as a teenager how excited my cousins and I would get when our neighbours across the street had family visiting. The reason for our enthusiasm would often be because the visitors were from Cape Town. They spoke a dialect we found cool and they used different words to describe things. Like stoffies for when it rains lightly, or kapalangs, referring to flip-flops and then the different meaning of the word koeksister and koesiste depending which province you're in.
The family that I married into is from the Eastern Cape – Cradock, Ugie and East London and often their sentences and expressions are punctuated with words derived from isiXhosa. Unlike many coloureds living in Cape Town, some of my in-laws are proficient in conversational isiXhosa. I learnt the word umngqushofrom my husband.
Despite this richness of experience and practice, coloured people are still portrayed as homogenous and often defined only in terms of what they "lack"; of what they are not.
Recent racial tensions in the Western Cape – fuelled by dissatisfaction over housing, poor service delivery, and inhumane living conditions – have again thrust coloureds into the national spotlight and elicited enthusiastic debate online and in other media, about the nature and form of this category of South Africans. Centring this issue however, is not a case of coloured exceptionalism but rather an acknowledgement of a group of people who have expressed feelings of being marginalised by dominant groups in South Africa.
Experiences of white racism have shaped coloured identities but so too has anti-black prejudice and racism and if these racialised tensions are not effectively addressed it will have dire consequences for reconciliation and other nation building projects.
Whenever questions around coloured identities emerge, a common response has been to fiercely debate and try to define what coloured identity is. It is significant that 24 years into democracy, these debates often still draw on an understanding of coloured identity as somehow problematic. The argument goes that it is a bureaucratic construct – a racist apartheid hangover – and that in order for it to change, coloured people must undergo a sort of mental emancipation so as to reject the identity; or secondly, that coloureds are nothing more than products of miscegenation and racial "mixing".
This narrative of racial "mixing" is especially harmful as it shrouds coloured identities in shame and renders coloureds cultureless within popular narratives.
These definitions are silencing. Not only is it obtuse, but it is a deeply problematic construction that denies the actual, lived, real experience of coloured identities based on a rich and nuanced history that has been denied even to its own. It also closes off any attempt at talking about coloured identity in a way that recognises that it is located within the larger South African context and its complicated past.
This silencing then, leaves little space to ask the difficult questions like: who do we speak of when we refer to coloureds, how is the identity formed, by whom and what are the social, political and cultural power relations at play? Interrogating these questions allows us to understand coloured identity, not in isolation to, but in relation to others. It also allows for a deeper reflection on, and a recognition of, the ways in which other identities shape coloured expression and how it has informed the expression of many other South African identities.
As with all other ethnic groups, coloured identities too are socially constructed. They are rich in complexity and are diverse, grounded in a violent history of genocide, slavery, rape and perceived miscegenation and a history immersed in the struggle against oppression and for liberation.
Much of this history has been erased and names like Ashley Kriel, Anton Fransch, Robert Waterwitch and Coline Williams remain relegated to the fringes of the story of our national struggle for freedom.
My experience of coloured identities is that coloureds are not a homogenous group, not in terms of personal politics and political thought, or even a primary language. And yet, despite this, there is a definite group ethnic consciousness. Complicated history must be retold
As emotionally draining as these conversations can sometimes be, particularly when it is so close to home, we must incessantly interrogate and engage with memories of the past. If we don't courageously dialogue with sustained remembrance and with care, it will be impossible to co-create a new South African consciousness that draws from the countless strands of our collective story.
It is only through an opening up and re-telling of this complicated history of being coloured in South Africa, that we'll be able to challenge the disconcerting and disturbing narrative of feelings of non-belonging that has become a marker of this identity group.
We tell stories about who we are and often our stories include perceptions of what it means to come from particular communities. These stories of who we are, are passed on from generation to generation and each generation chooses which parts of the story to tell.
This selection can be influenced by any of the various economic, social or political forces of the time. Stories can therefore change and shift and are regularly contested as is demonstrated by the issue of coloured identities.
Often our stories speak of a past – whether imagined or real; or the stories we tell try to make sense of the complex present and much of the time these stories are aspirational and speak of an imagined future. But these stories aren't merely empty transcripts that are passed on. We are emotionally invested in them and they reflect our desire for belonging and inform our identities. Coloured identities located within larger African identity
Isn't this also what those who had gone before us a fought for? The right to, within a democratic dispensation, grapple with the messy complexities of our human experience and to re-imagine identities. This is something that colonialism and apartheid denied us.
We must allow ourselves the space to sit with the discomfort that comes with confronting the ways in which our brutal, fractured past has come to shape our understanding of ourselves and others. In this way, we're able to, without denying its specificity, locate coloured identities within the larger African identity – validating it as an important part of the story of black and African experiences.
It is encouraging then that in recent years, there has been a resurgence of a movement to craft new coloured identities in a democratic South Africa and to tell the stories that shape and inform coloured identities in interesting ways.
Through the poetry of poets like Nathan Trantraal and Khadija Heeger, web series like Coloured Mentality, documentaries by filmmakers Nadine Cloete and Kurt Orderson, the art of Laura LadySkollie Windvogel, Khoi revivalists, theatre productions like Afrikaaps, and the general assertion of coloured, black and African identities as occurring at once, the unsettling meanings that have grown around coloured identities are challenged.
We need more spaces for the telling of our stories and for the articulation of memory. More museums telling old and new stories, monuments in interesting spaces, memorials that mourn and celebrate our past and other symbols that speak to our common humanity.
If we do this, we could be on a path where, when we as South Africans are confronted with the memory of the atrocities of our past and as we grapple with its material, social and psychological legacies, don't shrink in shame or burn down with righteous anger. We will rather be moved with conviction to never allow those atrocities to be repeated and to restore through re-telling of our own stories and listening with care to the stories of others, parts of our identity that had been taken.
- Eleanor du Plooy runs the Ashley Kriel Youth Desk at the Institute for Justice and Reconciliation.
Tags: color identity, race, racism
black codes (1)
black wall street tulsa (1)
boycott mentality (1)
pan-african perspective (1)


Choose comfort and style for the warmer months with these Glaci espadrilles from Bertie. Slipping on with ease, they feature an all-over floral print and chic raffia detail on the flat sole.
Ideal for blue sky days, wear with cropped jeans and a camisole.


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Roku's redesigned middle child is back and faster than ever
By Nick Pino published 18 January 17
Sporting a new-and-improved processor powering a vast library of streaming content, the Roku 2 - like a fine wine - only gets better with age.
Faster processor
Plenty of content
Plasticky remote
No headphone jack or mic
Intro, design and content
Performance, comparisons and verdict
Update: The official Roku app (which can be used to control the device) has received a pretty substantial overhaul. The biggest addition is a new 'What's on' section, which provides an easy way to view a curated selection of recent television and movie releases. The app has also received a more general design overhaul to make it easier to navigate.
Original review below...
The Roku 2 has always been - and always will be - the middle child of the Roku family.
At $69 (£59, about AU$90), it's pricier than the Roku or Roku Streaming Stick, but comes in well under the cost of a $99 (£79, about AU$129) Roku 3. Likewise, it has more features and a landslide of better specs than its predecessor, the original Roku, but it's not quite as feature rich as its video game-ready older brother, the Roku 3.
But herein lies the magic of the middle child. By cutting out some of the features you may not want or need (e.g. a headphone jack or gaming functionality), you save money while keeping the things that matter, like a faster processor and plenty of ports.
It's hard to say anything bad about the refreshed 2015 Roku 2. While I was left struggling with a few nagging issues, the puck-shaped streamer kept impressing me long after the first set of credits rolled.
Externally, little has changed about the Roku 2. It's still a small, hockey puck-shaped box and has one tiny, but incredibly iconic, purple tag. Like the Roku 3, it has one side USB 2.0 port and four essential slots on the back for Ethernet, HDMI, microSD and power.
The unit itself is slightly larger than the palm of your hand but is far from unsightly. At 3.5 x 3.5 x 1 inches or 88.9 x 88.9 x 25.4mm (W x D x H), it sits so low to the entertainment center it completely blends in with its surroundings.
The Roku 2 also has integrated dual-band Wi-Fi (a/b/g/n compatible). However, the wired Ethernet option is hands-down the best choice when it comes to streaming.
The microSD card slot, a carryover from earlier models, allows you to store excess channels, and comes in handy after you fill up the internal storage.
It's also worth noting that the Roku 2 doesn't have an actual "off" button. The player stays online (consuming less than 3.5w) and updates itself automatically.
So then what exactly makes the re-designed Roku 2, well, redesigned?
Roku made two changes to this year's model: one good, one bad. The good is a markedly improved processor - the same kind that's inside the Roku 3. I'll touch on this more in a minute and while the change isn't an external one, it vastly improves the overall product.
The bad news is that the remote we loved from the original Roku 2 - the one with a headphone jack - is gone. It's been replaced with a plasticky feeling replica that's practical, but far from premium. It's also worth noting that two of the buttons from the Roku 2's remote, Blockbuster and MGo, have been replaced with Sling TV and Rdio.
Getting the Roku 2 ready is unbelievably easy. Plug the unit into the wall, run an HDMI cable to your TV and voila! You're well on your way to watching the latest season of House of Cards.
First-time users will need to create an account on Roku's website, while veteran Rokuites will simply need to add the unit to their accounts via a short identification number.
While the whole setup takes a matter of minutes, you'll need to provide Roku with a credit card - in case of any additional fees - and you won't be able to use your new streamer until it receives a short firmware update. A bummer, I know.
Easily its biggest strength, the Roku 2 is an equal opportunity player. Netflix, Amazon, MGo, Google Play Store are on equal ground here; Roku makes it clear that it's content first, platforms second.
Roku has over 2,000 channels available to download with varying degrees of paid content, interesting shows and specificity. If you're looking for a film noir alien channel or an ultra-specific '90s country metal hybrid station, Roku's storefront is the place to find it.
Of course, while there are plenty of niche channels to pick from, the streaming staples are front and center. In the US, that includes Amazon Instant Video, Netflix, HBO Go, Google Play Store, Vimeo, DailyMotion and CBS Access. Folks in the UK will see Sky's Now TV platform (Sky being a shareholder in Roku), the ubiquitous Netflix, BBC iPlayer, ITV, 4oD and Demand 5 as some of the most highly downloaded channels. Audio apps of note in both territories include Spotify, Rdio, Tunein and Vevo.
Cord cutters who live in the US will also have access to Sling TV, the new live TV cable alternative that's bringing new life to the cord cutting movement. The stream was crisp and clear on Roku 2, just as it was when I tested it on Roku 3. (Obviously, your mileage may vary, as my home setup isn't identical - or even necessarily in the same ballpark either way - as everyone else.)
The amount of content available on Roku's boxes is vast, and while the majority of the options are either too oddly niche to be concerned with or poor ports of YouTube channels, the additional options don't detract from the experience. Plus, the ability to customize the contents and order of your home screen means you only ever have to see the channels you want to see.
Current page: Intro, design and content
Next Page Performance, comparisons and verdict
Nick Pino
Senior Editor, Home Entertainment
Nick Pino is the Senior Editor of Home Entertainment at TechRadar and covers TVs, headphones, speakers, video games, VR and streaming devices. He's written for TechRadar, GamesRadar, Official Xbox Magazine, PC Gamer and other outlets over the last decade, and he has a degree in computer science he's not using if anyone wants it.
The Nintendo Switch Pro Controller really needs a refresh
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Just a little post today to share with you a new lil' discovery- FUNKIN COCKTAILS!
Now, I'm all for a product that makes drinking cocktails easy. I mean, at the end of a long day, who can actually be arsed to get shakers, strainers, mixers, muddlers and all manner of cocktail accoutrements out? This is why, more oft than not, I end up just cracking open a GinInATin and slugging that back.
However, I had a little delivery but t'other day which has made whipping up a cocktail as easy as 1, 2, 3 (which is how many I can drink before I start to think I can dance like Queen Bey).
ENTER FUNKIN COCKTAIL SHAKERS STAGE RIGHT!
These ingenious little mixers come premixed, ready to shake- all you need do is add booze and ice. Then SHAKE IT LIKE A POLAROID PICTURE, open, and pour. AND THAT'S LITERALLY IT!
I mean, how easy is that?! In my package of fruity joy, there was a Strawberry Daiquiri, a Skinny Mojito and a Passionfruit Martini, which in true Sunday Style I made up for a special brunch. And it was DELISH! Very sweet, but very slurpable, which is just how I like my cocktails really!
Whilst they're maybe not the ultimate in chic, these shakers are so easy, so fun and will be PERFECT for hosting. I mean, if your friends are anything like mine (i.e utter boozehounds) serving up cocktails with ease is definitely high on my Hostess with the Mostess agenda, and I'm definitely going to stock up for summer BBQ season!
THANKS FUNKIN COCKTAILS YOU ARE BABES!
I was gifted the shakers and booze but all quaffing and opinions are my own!


eVetPractice is excited to be an exhibitor at the upcoming AVMA Convention in Indianapolis, IN. The American Veterinary Medical Association has held a convention almost every year since 1863. Locations have varied each year regionally within the United States and even into Canada. Attendance started with a few dozen and has grown to as many as 10,000 veterinarians, veterinary students, veterinary technicians, veterinary technician students, office managers and staff, exhibitors, spouses and guests, children, and others. The AVMA prides itself on being a long-standing gathering place for thousands of members of the veterinary community.
Come check us out at booth 1337!
Visit A Revolutionary New Concept in the AVMA Exhibit Hall!
AVMA's Vet Clinic Live!TM is a state-of-the-art veterinary facility built right on the exhibit floor. Visit this facility to see curated vendors feature the newest and most innovative products and services for improving patient care and treatment.
Live-action scenarios will revolutionize the way you learn about new products! Attendees will see these products demonstrated in a veterinary setting and learn how these innovations can enhance their practices. Attendees will also be able to watch live-action demonstrations presented by veterinary students who competed in teams to develop true-to-life case scenarios especially for this occasion.
This is an educational experience unlike any offered at other veterinary conferences!


During these last years Malta has adopted the Blue Flag beaches (BF). This is a standard of quality for the beaches to provide a first quality service to all Maltese and tourists alike. Everyone can benefit from the good use of the coast and at the same time respecting the natural environment of the beach.
The Blue Flag Program is owned and run by the Foundation for Environment Education (FEE) based in Denmark. The BF for 2019 has been awarded to 4558 beaches and marinas in 44 countries across Europe, South Africa, Morocco, Tunisia, New Zealand, Brazil, Canada and the Caribbean.
It adopts a sustainable development of beaches and marinas through strict criteria with water quality, environment education and information, environment management and safety apart from other services.
To achieve a Blue Flag (BF) award the beach has to satisfy all of the set BF criteria.
The Blue Flag Program was started in 2006 and this year in 2018 Malta and Gozo have twelve BF beaches. The award is only valid for one year and the requirements have to be met again the following year.
The following criteria are provided for each beach between mid-June to September of each year for eight hours everyday all week.
For this year Malta has been awarded nine quality flags for its efforts in the sustainable management of beaches.
Twelve beaches qualified to the Blue Flag international status.
Blue Flag Beaches in Malta and Gozo are there to be enjoyed by all.


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anglais ▼
définition - High Command Trial
High Command Trial
The High Command Trial (or, officially, The United States of America vs. Wilhelm von Leeb, et al.[1]) was the last of the twelve trials for war crimes the U.S. authorities held in their occupation zone in Germany in Nuremberg after the end of World War II.[2] These twelve trials were all held before U.S. military courts, not before the International Military Tribunal, but took place in the same rooms at the Palace of Justice. The twelve U.S. trials are collectively known as the "Subsequent Nuremberg Trials" or, more formally, as the "Trials of War Criminals before the Nuremberg Military Tribunals" (NMT).
The accused in this trial were all high-ranking generals of the German Wehrmacht (one was a former Admiral); some of them had been members of the High Command of Nazi Germany's military forces. They were charged with having participated in or planned or facilitated the execution of the numerous atrocities committed in countries occupied by the German forces during the war.
The judges in this case, heard before Military Tribunal V-A, were John C. Young (presiding judge) from Colorado, Winfield B. Hale from Tennessee, and Justin W. Harding from Alaska. The Chief of Counsel for the Prosecution was Telford Taylor. The indictment was filed on November 28, 1947; the trial lasted from December 30 that year until October 28, 1948. Of the 14 defendants indicted, two were acquitted on all counts. Johannes Blaskowitz committed suicide during the trial. The remaining nine defendants received prison sentences ranging from three years including time served to lifetime imprisonment.
The accused faced four charges of having committed war crimes and crimes against humanity:
Crimes against peace by waging aggressive war against other nations and violating international treaties.
War crimes by being responsible for murder, ill-treatment and other crimes against prisoners of war and enemy belligerents.
Crimes against humanity by participating or ordering the murder, torture, deportation, hostage-taking, etc. of civilians in occupied countries.
Participating and organizing the formulations and execution of a common plan and conspiracy to commit aforementioned crimes.
All defendants were indicted on all counts; they all pleaded "not guilty".
Count 4 of the indictment—the conspiracy charge—was soon dropped by the tribunal because it was already covered by the other charges.
On count 1, the tribunal considered all accused not guilty, stating that they were not the policy-makers and that preparing for war and fighting a war on orders was not a criminal offense under the applicable international law of the time.
Wilhelm von Leeb Former Generalfeldmarschall (until 1941) I I G I 3 years' imprisonment; released after the trial-died 1956
Hugo Sperrle Former Generalfeldmarschall I I I I acquitted-died 1953
Georg von Küchler Former Generalfeldmarschall I G G I 20 years' imprisonment; reduced to 12 years in 1951; released 1953 due to medical reasons-died 1968.
Johannes Blaskowitz Former Generaloberst I I I I Committed suicide during the trial on February 5, 1948
Hermann Hoth Former Generaloberst I G G I 15 years' imprisonment; released 1954-died 1971.
Georg-Hans Reinhardt Former Generaloberst I G G I 15 years' imprisonment; released 1952-died 1963.
Hans von Salmuth Former Generaloberst I G G I 20 years' imprisonment; reduced to 12 years in 1951, released in 1953-died 1962
Karl-Adolf Hollidt Former Generaloberst I G G I 5 years' imprisonment; released December 22, 1949-died 1985
Otto Schniewind Former Generaladmiral I I I I acquitted-died 1964
Karl von Roques Former General der Infanterie I G G I 20 years' imprisonment; died December 24, 1949.
Hermann Reinecke Former General der Infanterie; head of the General Office of the Armed Forces at OKW (Allgemeines Wehrmachtamt, AWA), also head of the office for the NSFO (National-Sozialistische Führungs-Offiziere, Nazi officers charged with political propaganda in the Wehrmacht) I G G I lifetime imprisonment; released 1954-died 1973
Walter Warlimont Former General der Artillerie; deputy head of the Wehrmacht-Führungsstab (WMFS), the Armed Forces Operations Staff. I G G I lifetime imprisonment; commuted to 18 years in 1951; released 1954-died 1976.
Otto Wöhler Former General der Infanterie I G G I 8 years' imprisonment; released 1951-died 1987
Rudolf Lehmann Former Generalleutnant, Judge Advocate-General of the OKW and as such responsible for the elaboration of the Commissar order, the Barbarossa order, and others. I G G I 7 years' imprisonment-died July 26,1955
I — Indicted G — Indicted and found guilty
All sentences included time already served in custody since April 7, 1945.
Command responsibility
Subsequent Nuremberg Trials
Law Reports of Trials of War Criminals, Vol. XII, 1949 of the United Nations War Crimes Commission.
Another description
^ Also known as initially as Case No. 12 (the 13 Generals' trial), and later as Case No. 72 (The German high command trial: Trial of Wilhelm von Leeb and thirteen others)
^ There was also a "High Command Case" in the Trial of the Major War Criminals before the International Military Tribunal. In that case, the German supreme command of the armed forces (OKW – Oberkommando Wehrmacht) was acquitted of the charge of having been a criminal organization.[1]
The Nuremberg Trials
Trial of the Major War Criminals before the International Military Tribunal
Subsequent
I. Doctors' Trial
II. Milch Trial
III. Judges' Trial
IV. Pohl Trial
V. Flick Trial
VI. IG Farben Trial
VII. Hostages Trial
VIII. RuSHA Trial
IX. Einsatzgruppen Trial
X. Krupp Trial
XI. Ministries Trial
XII. High Command Trial
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=High_Command_Trial&oldid=496500763"
United States Nuremberg Military Tribunals
Toutes les traductions de High Command Trial


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> Fiction
> Classic fiction (pre c 1945)
The Thirty Nine Steps EPUB
by John Buchan
John Buchan's The Thirty-Nine Steps is an adventure novel featuring the recurrent protagonist Richard Hannay. The story is set right before the outbreak of the Second World War in London. It starts when Hannay is visited one day by his neighbor who begs to stay with him in his apartment. The mysterious neighbor, named Scudder, later reveals that he is an American spy with information about a very dangerous German plot to assassinate the Greek premier and spread disorder throughout Europe. For this reason, Scudder is now chased by his enemies. When Hannay later finds Scudder dead in the apartment with a knife through his heart, he understands that his own life is now at stake and decides to run away. He ultimately succeeds in reaching Scotland where he soon realizes that he is followed by both the German spies and the country's police. When Hannay becomes determined to carry on Scudder's mission and save his country and the whole continent from the German plot, he has to escape from numerous snares set by his mysterious enemies. The title of the novel is itself a mystery mentioned by the spies and which Hannay and his companions have to solve. They discover by the end that it refers to a place in Kent with thirty-nine steps from which the spies intend to flee England.
Publisher: Copyright Group
Category: Classic fiction (pre c 1945)
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Good Life Spa | Caribya!
At Good Life Spa, they believe in taking the holistic approach to health and skin care, and use only organic ingredients in their products, free of chemicals or additives that may be thought of as harmful. Just a few hours with them and you'll come out feeling like a new person.
At this spa, you can choose from a list of a la carte treatments, or book one of their packages that combines treatments that work together in perfect harmony. They offer massage, facials, body treatments, and more.
Good Life Spa, within Sonesta Maho Beach Resort & Casino, is found in the western part of Maho Reef, a neighborhood in Sint Maarten; it is a mile and a half (two and a half kilometers) to the west of Simpson Bay.
If you've worked up an appetite while enjoying this spa, you're in luck, as you'll find a selection of dining venues in this general area. In case you're wondering about restaurants in this area, Mark's Place and Gingerbread Cafe are two of the closest options.


"This is a very useful commentary. The author's scholarship provides a sound base. His bibliography is inclusive and up to date. He interacts with all important positions on major questions. His view is conservative and clearly reasoned. . . A commendable work."
"Provides Old Testament students with a most excellent tool for the analysis and exegesis of Ezra and Nehemiah. . . This volume has many strengths and practical suggestions for treating problem passages, and follows a good and logical outline of the combined texts. Ministers as well as scholars will find it useful."
"The strengths of this volume are clear. Fensham uses his expertise in Semitic languages to address the many linguistic difficulties which appear in these two biblical books. In addition, his use of ancient Near Eastern history and archaeology is helpful. These elements, plus generous documentation, make this a substantial commentary."


and #168 in Entertainment & Celebrity in the ZIG Index.
Don't miss out! See all of the latest from Teresa Giudice and more on ZIG.
"We're all praying for the best outcome possible," Margaret Josephs told us.
Dolores Catania, who has known Teresa Giudice since she was 16, gave HollywoodLife an update on how her longtime pal is 'coping' as Joe Giudice remains in custody of ICE.


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The "Anti-Finals" Approach...and New York Quivers
By Net Income Nov 19, 2009, 10:15pm EST
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That's what some are calling the Nets-Knicks Saturday matinee--the "Anti-Finals", a recognition of how poorly the metro area's two teams have fared: two wins, 21 losses. There hasn't been more mediocre matchup at this point in a season since 1994. The lack of a quality NBA team in New York is blamed for all manner of hoops ills, even as the two teams plan for big doin's next summer. But for now, it's all small ball.
Knicks, Nets show how far NY-area hoops has fallen - AP
What's wrong with the Nets and how can they be fixed? - Al Iannazzone - The Record
What's wrong with the Knicks and how can they be fixed? - Steve Adamek - The Record
Madison Square Garden still able to dazzle - Sam Borden - White Plains Journal News
Top 5 of Inside - Ernie, Kenny & Charles - TNT


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KuwaitPoliticsTop Stories
PM submits govt resignation to Amir as MPs set priorities
KUWAIT: HH the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah receives HH the Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, who submitted the government's resignation, at Bayan Palace yesterday. - KUNA
KUWAIT: HH the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah receives HH the Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, who submitted the government's resignation, at Bayan Palace yesterday. – KUNA
By B Izzak
KUWAIT: HH the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah received at Bayan Palace yesterday HH the Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, who submitted the government's resignation to him. Cabinet ministers had submitted their resignations to Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled on Tuesday.
Sixteen opposition MPs yesterday signed a statement calling on the next Cabinet to make fighting corruption its top priority. The statement also called on the future government to cooperate in passing laws to amend the election law and legislation linked to freedom of expression, in addition to the Kuwaitization of public sector jobs.
Meanwhile, the National Assembly's health and labor committee yesterday rejected a government proposal to impose a fine of KD 100 on people not wearing a facemask to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Rapporteur of the committee MP Saadoun Hammad said the majority of the panel members rejected the proposal except MP Saleh Al-Mutairi, a physician, who called for raising the fine to KD 500.
Hammad said the committee rejected the principle of imposing fines on citizens, adding that MPs asked the health ministry about the way it plans to impose the fine. The lawmaker said the committee also discussed the vaccination drive against the coronavirus and the vaccines the ministry has already contracted to buy. He said the health ministry explained that it has already contracted to purchase one million vaccines from Pfizer, enough to inoculate 500,000 people.
Hammad said the ministry has also signed a contract to import three million AstraZeneca vaccines, enough for 1.5 million people. This means that throughout this year, the ministry will be importing vaccines enough for two million people, he said. The committee however called on the ministry to sign more contracts directly with manufacturing companies to import vaccines enough for the entire population of the country within the current year.
In a related development, MP Osama Al-Shaheen asked the health minister why the vaccination drive in Kuwait has been so slow. He also asked him about the ministry's vaccination plan and if it plans to recruit foreign teams to help in the vaccination process.
amir Assembly cabinet MPs resignation
Trump on the brink of second impeachment
DWC bids farewell to Kyrgyz envoy
Four arrested for leaking info
Tornadoes hit Plains; 2 dead, homes ruined in Oklahoma
Libyans voice hope, doubts over ceasefire
'Islamophobia', discrimination pose a danger across the globe
5-day Eid holiday from Wednesday


Fowler, J. Joseph (2013) Strongly-Connected Outerplanar Graphs with Proper Touching Triangle Representations. In: 21st International Symposium, GD 2013, September 23-25, 2013 , pp. 155-160(Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-03841-4_14).
A proper touching triangle representation R of an n-vertex planar graph consists of a triangle divided into n non-overlapping triangles. A pair of triangles are considered to be adjacent if they share a partial side of positive length. Each triangle in R represents a vertex, while each pair of adjacent triangles represents an edge in the planar graph. We consider the problem of determining when a proper touching triangle representation exists for a strongly-connected outerplanar graph, which is biconnected and after the removal of all degree-2 vertices and outeredges, the resulting connected subgraph only has chord edges (w.r.t. the original graph). We show that such a graph has a proper representation if and only if the graph has at most two internal faces (i.e., faces with no outeredges).


Southern defeats Alcorn State, 12-9, on the final day of the Andre Dawson Classic in New Orleans.
Southern University Javeyan Williams (3) hits a double during the Andre Dawson Classic on Sunday, Feb. 17, 2019, at Maestri Field in New Orleans, LA.
Southern University Hunter David (11) watches the pitch from second base against Alcorn State during the Andre Dawson Classic on Sunday, Feb. 17, 2019, at Maestri Field in New Orleans, LA.
Southern University Javeyan Williams (3) warms up before batting in the fourth inning during the Andre Dawson Classic on Sunday, Feb. 17, 2019, at Maestri Field in New Orleans, LA.
Southern University Javeyan Williams (3) scores a run against Alcorn State during the Andre Dawson Classic on Sunday, Feb. 17, 2019, at Maestri Field in New Orleans, LA.
Alcorn State Kyle Jenkins (26) runs in to home plate for run number two in the second inning during the Andre Dawson Classic on Sunday, Feb. 17, 2019, at Maestri Field in New Orleans, LA.
Alcorn State Bukhari Brown (8) pitches the ball against Southern University during the Andre Dawson Classic on Sunday, Feb. 17, 2019, at Maestri Field in New Orleans, LA.
Alcorn State bench reacts to Micah Walker (1) hitting a home run against Southern University during the Andre Dawson Classic on Sunday, Feb. 17, 2019, at Maestri Field in New Orleans, LA.
Southern University Michael Wright (13) hits a single that brings in a run against Alcorn State during the Andre Dawson Classic on Sunday, Feb. 17, 2019, at Maestri Field in New Orleans, LA.
Southern University Malik Blaise (7) slides safe into third base during the Andre Dawson Classic on Sunday, Feb. 17, 2019, at Maestri Field in New Orleans, LA.
Southern University head coach Kerrick Jackson at third base during the Andre Dawson Classic on Sunday, Feb. 17, 2019, at Maestri Field in New Orleans, LA.
Alcorn State Brandon Barna (32) slides safe into third base during the Andre Dawson Classic on Sunday, Feb. 17, 2019, at Maestri Field in New Orleans, LA.
Southern University Tyler LaPorte (2) is out at second base by Alcorn State Micah Walker (1) during the Andre Dawson Classic on Sunday, Feb. 17, 2019, at Maestri Field in New Orleans, LA.
Southern University Eli Finney (20) warms up during the Andre Dawson Classic on Sunday, Feb. 17, 2019, at Maestri Field in New Orleans, LA.
Southern University Coby Taylor (37) hits the ball out in the right field during the Andre Dawson Classic on Sunday, Feb. 17, 2019, at Maestri Field in New Orleans, LA.
Alcorn State Jaden Smith (13) tags Southern University Michael Wright (13) out in a pickle during the Andre Dawson Classic on Sunday, Feb. 17, 2019, at Maestri Field in New Orleans, LA.
Southern University helmet and bat on the field during the Andre Dawson Classic on Sunday, Feb. 17, 2019, at Maestri Field in New Orleans, LA.
Southern University Michael Wright (13) hits a single against Alcorn State during the Andre Dawson Classic on Sunday, Feb. 17, 2019, at Maestri Field in New Orleans, LA.
Southern University Michael Wright (13) catches a fly ball in left field during the Andre Dawson Classic on Sunday, Feb. 17, 2019, at Maestri Field in New Orleans, LA.


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Home / Networth / Player Networths / Marcos Alonso Net Worth
Marcos Alonso Net Worth
Admin April 6, 2019	Player Networths Leave a comment 311 Views
The Spain-born footballer, Marcos Alonso plays as a left back for the English Club Chelsea. Born on December 28, 1990, Marcos Alonso full name is Marcos Alonso Mendoza. The 26yr old started his career with the Real Madrid football club. In 2009, he was summoned to the Madrid main squad by the Manuel Pellegrini, the then coach of the Madrid. After the Madrid, he joined Premier League club, Bolton Wanderers for an undisclosed fee in 2010. He scored his first goal for the club in 2012. Years later he signed a 3-yr deal with Italian team ACF Florentina.
He played 85 games and made 5 goals for the club before moving to the England club, Chelsea. Alonso made his debut against the Leicester City for the EFL Cup. Similarly, he played full 120 minutes in a 4-2 win against the team. In 2016 he scored his first goal for the Chelsea in a 5-0 win over Everton. As of his personal life, his grandfather played for the Real Madrid team for 8yrs. And, the professional Chelsea footballer was once punished with a driving ban for 3yrs. Today the ban has already been used up.
Alonso as of today has a net worth of $10 million.
Alonso Personal Details:
Full name: Marcos Alonso Mendoza
Preferred playing position: Wing/ left back
Height: 6 feet 2 inch
Team: Chelsea Football Club
Preferred Foot: Left
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The Northeast Real Food Summit is drawing near–workshops are coming together, the menu is being set, and registration has begun!
Join your peers, and REGISTER NOW for the Northeast Real Food Summit!
February 21-22, 2009 at University of Massachusetts-Amherst.
Registration takes but 5-10 minutes to complete. And be sure to pass the word on to friends on your campus and across the region. Gather a group of up to 10 from your school and register together!
Don't miss out on this opportunity to connect with your peers on the issues you care about!


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Law Office of Lori D. Ecker
Practice Dedicated Exclusively to Employment Law
Filing Claims with Government Agencies
Index | Your Rights | Protect Your Rights | Firm Homepage
This page provides answers to the following questions:
1. How do I file a claim with a government agency?
A claim must generally be made in writing to the federal or state agency. Some agencies, such as the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), require you to mail a charge of discrimination or complete one in person at an EEOC office. Other agencies, such as the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), will accept complaints over the phone, on their website, or via fax, in addition to those written complaints made through the mail or in person at an OSHA office.
2. What information should I include in the complaint?
The general rule is to include all of the details that would enable the agency to determine if you have a claim or the law has been violated. The most basic information to include is:
Your name, address, and telephone number.
The name, address, and telephone number of the employer, employment agency, or union that you wish to file the claim against.
An estimate of the number of employees (or union members), if you know. (Certain laws only apply to employers with a minimum number of employees).
A short description of the facts supporting your complaint that a law has been violated.
The date(s) of the violation(s).
Be sure to follow all directions on the form, and do not leave any requested information blank if you have a way to find out the information before submitting the form.
3. Are there time limits for filing a complaint?
Yes, in most types of cases. It's best to contact any agency soon after the incident you want to complain about occurred. Federal and state agencies have many different time limits for filing based on their respective laws. Some of the federal time limits are:
Department of Labor:
Minimum wage, overtime and other wage and hour claims, Family and Medical Leave Act claims, and Equal Pay Act claims: within 2 years of the alleged violation. You don't need to file a claim with the Department of Labor for violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), Family and Medical Leave Act, or Equal Pay Act before you can file a lawsuit in court, as you do with some other federal laws. A lawsuit must also be filed generally within 2 years of the alleged violation, and this deadline does not stop running even if you have filed a claim with the Department of Labor.
Health and safety claims/whistleblower claims with OSHA: The filing dates depend on which law applies:
- OSH Act, the Clean Air Act (CAA), the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), the Solid Waste Disposal Act (SWDA), the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (FWPCA), the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), the Toxic Substance Control Act (TSCA), and environmental whistleblower laws: 30 days after the alleged violation occurred.
- International Safety Container Act (ISCA): 60 days after the alleged violation occurred.
- Wendell H. Ford Aviation Investment and Reform Act (AIR 21), the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, and the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA): 90 days after the alleged violation occurred.
- Surface Transportation Assistance Act (STAA), the Energy Reorganization Act (ERA), and the Pipeline Safety Improvement Act (PSIA): 180 days after the alleged violation occurred.
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC):
Discrimination, harassment and retaliation claims on the basis of race, sex (including pregnancy), color, national origin (including language), religion, age or disability: within 180 days from the date of the discrimination or within 300 days in states that also have a state agency enforcing an anti-discrimination law.
Other federal, state and local laws:
Filing information for other federal and state laws can also be found on the specific page on our website that relates to this topic. If the agency you have questions about is not listed here, please check the specific page in the "your rights" section that relates to your topic for the filing information listed on that page. Since some laws and agencies have filing deadlines that may be as soon as 30 days after a specific incident occurs, it is very important to know the filing deadline applicable to your situation so that you can take action if necessary to protect your rights.
4. Can I file a complaint without revealing my name?
Yes, in some circumstances you can file a complaint without identifying yourself.
If you are complaining about a violation of an OSHA standard or a serious safety or health hazard at work, you can ask that your name not be revealed to your employer. For discrimination complaints about a policy or practice, the EEOC can conduct directed investigations of employers based on information it has learned, even if no individual files a formal charge of discrimination.
However, if you want the agency to take action on your behalf or attempt to settle or resolve a specific claim you have, you will need to reveal your identity and the facts underlying your particular claim.
5. How do I know whether to file first with a federal agency or a state agency?
Many states and localities have their own antidiscrimination and labor standards laws as well as agencies responsible for enforcing those laws. In those states, it is often possible to file a claim either with the state administrative agency, or the federal administrative agency.
6. Do I have to file a complaint with a government agency before I file a lawsuit?
It depends. A federal employment discrimination case cannot be filed in court without first going to the EEOC and having the EEOC dismiss the charge. This process is called "exhaustion" of your administrative remedy.
Under other state and federal laws, exhaustion may not be required before filing a claim in court. However, the administrative agency may be able to help you resolve your complaint so that filing a lawsuit is no longer necessary to get the relief you are seeking and/or provide other valuable assistance.
Because in some cases you may lose your right to pursue any remedy against your employer by not filing with an administrative agency by the appropriate deadline, you should always consult with a lawyer in your state and/or the administrative agency that handles your type of complaint before making the decision not to file with the appropriate administrative agency.
7. What does the agency do after I have filed my complaint?
Typically, the agency notifies the employer that a charge or complaint has been filed against it. The agency may request that the employer file a response to the charge.
The agency then decides what level of investigation it will undertake based on its priorities and the facts alleged in the complaint. For example, a charge may be assigned for priority investigation if the initial facts appear to support a violation of law or if there is imminent danger as in the case of an alleged safety violation. When the evidence is less strong, the charge may be assigned for follow-up investigation to determine whether it is likely that a violation has occurred.
Usually, the investigation begins with an in-depth interview of the complainant (you, as the person who filed the complaint). The agency should also explain to you how the agency's process works.
In investigating a charge, the agency may make written requests for information, interview people, review documents, and, as needed, visit the facility where the alleged violation occurred. When the investigation is complete, the agency should discuss the evidence with the charging party or employer, as appropriate.
8. Can an agency reject my complaint?
The agency must accept your charge or complaint for filing, even if the facts do not appear to fall within the laws that agency enforces. The agency can dismiss a charge or complaint at any point if, in the agency's best judgment, further investigation will not establish a violation of the law enforced by that agency. A charge may be dismissed at the time it is filed, if an initial in-depth interview does not produce evidence to support the claim. When a charge is dismissed, the agency notifies the complainant of the agency's decision and the complainant's right to sue in court.
9. What should I know about the agency investigation?
You have the right to talk privately with an agency investigator or safety inspector. You should reveal all the information you have to assist the investigation by providing documents and the names of witnesses. Make sure you keep a copy of any documents given to the investigator. The investigator should keep your statements confidential. You should contact the investigator on a regular basis to keep track of the progress of the investigation. Your responsibility is to be informative and cooperative to assist in the investigation. An agency can dismiss your charge or complaint if you fail to cooperate or hinder the investigation.
10. How will my complaint be resolved by the agency?
If the agency finds that the evidence obtained in an investigation does not establish a violation of the law, in most situations the agency will dismiss the claim and notify you of its decision and your right to file a lawsuit in court if applicable. If the evidence establishes that the law has been violated, the agency will notify the employer and the charging party or complainant.
In discrimination cases, the EEOC will then attempt to settle the charge by providing a remedy for the discrimination. If the case is successfully conciliated, or if a case has earlier been successfully mediated or settled, neither EEOC nor the charging party may go to court unless the conciliation, mediation, or settlement agreement is not honored.
If EEOC is unable to successfully conciliate the case, the agency will decide whether to bring suit in federal court. If EEOC decides not to sue, it will issue a notice closing the case and giving you as the charging party 90 days in which to file a lawsuit on your own behalf.
11. How long will it take the agency to investigate my complaint?
The length and thoroughness of any investigation will vary considerably depending on the facts, the agency, and the investigator. Some investigations can last months or even years. It's important to know the time limits for filing a lawsuit and whether they continue to run while the agency is investigating your claim, as in Fair Labor Standards Act cases.
In most cases, the federal agency will not issue a finding (often called a "reasonable cause" finding) that a law has been violated. Similarly, federal agencies file lawsuits in only a small portion of the complaints they receive. This does not mean, however, that your lawsuit does not have merit, as many successful lawsuits have been brought without a "reasonable cause" finding by the government and/or without the administrative agency's assistance.
12. Where can I find more information?
You can find out more information for filing a claim with certain federal agencies at the following sites:
OSHA complaints
OSHA whistleblower provisions
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission:
EEOC's Charge Processing Procedures
Our site's filing a complaint pages also contain valuable information, tailored to your state, about filing certain types of claims:
filing a discrimination/harassment/retaliation complaint
filing a pay & hours/labor standards complaint
filing an unemployment insurance claim
filing a workers' compensation claim
filing a whistleblower claim
filing a retaliation claim
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Putting employees first in business decision-making is integral to the stability and longevity of a
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Top Five News Headlines
The Fed's Fight Against Inflation Could Cost the US 1.2 Million Jobs
New 'Striketober' Looms as US Walkouts Increase Amid Surge in Union Activity
Russia Gives Citizenship to Ex-NSA Contractor Edward Snowden
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Boeing Wins $1.1 Billion KC-135 Tanker Maintenance Contract
The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] has been awarded a 10-year, $1.1 billion U.S. Air Force contract to continue providing programmed depot maintenance (PDM) for the nation's KC-135 Stratotanker fleet. Boeing will perform the work for more than 200 KC-135 aircraft at facilities in Texas, Oklahoma and Missouri.
Since the initial KC-135 PDM contract award in October 1998, Boeing has completed scheduled and unscheduled maintenance on more than 160 aircraft. Conducted every five years, scheduled PDM services include depot-level inspections, repairs, maintenance, modifications, re-painting and supply chain services. Unscheduled maintenance comprises about half of the work performed on each aircraft.
"The availability of the KC-135 as a tanker asset is vital to today's warfighters," said Pat Finneran, president of Boeing Support Systems. "Always on time, the Boeing KC-135 PDM program has a solid track record with proven results. Using Lean manufacturing and employee involvement initiatives, we have reduced the number of days the aircraft are out of service for maintenance by 19 percent, cutting costs by 15 percent per aircraft. Leveraging 75 years of tanker manufacturing and maintenance expertise, we can commit to a low-risk, cost-effective solution that offers a potential bridge to the KC-X."
KC-135 maintenance will continue to alternate between Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma and Boeing's Support Systems site in San Antonio, Texas, a licensed Federal Aviation Administration repair station and the company's largest maintenance and modification center.
The Texas-based center can house 23 wide-body aircraft at a time in its 1.6 million-square foot facility and is home to the world's largest freestanding high-bay aircraft hangar. In addition, there are 3.5 million square feet of aircraft ramp space, run-up areas, parking pads and an 11,500-foot runway. Flight-control repairs will continue to be performed by Sabreliner in Missouri and maintenance and repair of the aircraft fuel tanks will be completed by North American Aircraft Services (NAAS) in San Antonio. Sabreliner and NAAS are prime subcontractors for the program.
"I'm proud that the Air Force has continued to recognize Boeing's efforts on this project by awarding such a great opportunity," said U.S. Rep. Charles Gonzalez, D-Texas. "I commend Boeing on their hard work throughout this process, and I'm pleased that they'll continue to have a strong presence in San Antonio. This investment in our city will be a great addition to our already robust local economy, and I'm grateful that both Boeing and the Air Force will continue to reap the benefits of the flourishing business environment and talented workforce that exists in San Antonio."
The Boeing KC-135 PDM program management office is based in Oklahoma City, near Tinker Air Force Base. Approximately 300 Boeing employees work on the KC-135 PDM program in San Antonio, while 80 Boeing employees in Oklahoma and 75 Boeing employees in Missouri support the program. The company expects to hire about 200 additional employees in San Antonio as more aircraft arrive for maintenance.
"I am pleased to learn that Boeing has been awarded this contract, and I commend the Air Force for a sound decision," said U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas. "Boeing has a proven track record of performance and reliability in support of our KC-135 fleet, so it was no surprise to hear that it had won the competition."
A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is one of the world's largest space and defense businesses specializing in innovative and capabilities-driven customer solutions. Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is a $32.4 billion business with 72,000 employees worldwide.
Forrest Gossett
Boeing Support Systems
forrest.s.gossett@boeing.com


text: Resources for inverted pendulum project

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


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TE MANA UIRA O ARAURA
On Thursday the 5th of September Aitutaki's Power Supply celebrated the opening of the first stage of Aitutaki's renewable energy conversion, by the Prime Minister, the Hon. Henry Puna. It was an in auspicious occasion with the Deputy Prime Minister also in attendance, the Mayor, island council as much of the island community with all villages contributing to the celebrations. In addition to the renewable energy installation, there were a number of milestones celebrated that including a change of name for the entity, with a new logo, the appointment of a new board for the entity and most importantly for the people of Aitutaki, a reduction of tariffs.
Renewable Energy Project
The project itself included the installation of 750kw of solar panels and 500kw of battery storage. This sits alongside other recent investments the power supply (a new smaller and efficient generator) has led to significant fuel consumption and increased efficiency. The result of this first stage is that approximately 30% of all power needs for the island are now met by renewable energy. With further fine tuning and stage two investments, this is expected to increase to over 70% in the near future.
This was the last but most substantial of the projects in the Southern Group with funding coming from the Cook Islands government, Asian Development Bank, the and even funding from the Te Mana Uira O Araura itself. The project was implemented by Power Smart, with project management by REDD at OPM with the assistance of Entura, and peer review by Stephen Peters of McMahon.
New Name and Logo
Thursday also marked a change in name for the entity known previously as the Aitutaki Power Supply. A new name was chosen resulting from a completion with the schools and community asking for a new name and a new logo. After reviewing the many entries the new name of "Te Mana Uira O Araura" was chosen. Also a logo for Te Mana Uira O Araura was developed with the assistance of local graphic designer Sam Ataera, taking the best ideas from the competition. Deputy Prime Minister, Hon. Mark Brown handed out prizes to the top winning entries; who were: Kuramaeva Tare, Moana David, Ngeretuaine Tuao, Iripa Maeva and Emual Manapori.
The PM unveiling the new Logo for Te Mana Uira O Araura at the ceremony on Thursday.
Improving Governance
Also of note was the attendance and appointment of a new board Aitutaki based board for TMU, Chaired by John Baxter and including Janet Maki, Ine Challans, Paul Henry, Stephen Doherty and Tiraa Arere. The board were selected on the basis of having a diversity of skills and experience to enhance decision making, consistent with Corporate Governance Policy passed by cabinet earlier this year and developed by CIIC and based on international best practice. Earlier in the week the new board undertook an induction conducted by CIIC management as well as Governance director training with CIIC director, Caren Rangi.
Improved Efficiencies and Savings
The completion of Stage 1 of the renewable energy integration has meant a significant saving in fuel and improved overall efficiency. With assistance from MFEM and CIIC, the board of Te Mana Uira were able to calculate a proportional reduction in the tariff, providing more affordable energy to the people of Araura whilst ensuring the sustainable management and investment in to the infrastructure of the Aitutaki power system. Effective immediately, there will a 13% reduction for households on your variable charges, for businesses, there will be a 13% reduction on the tier 1 variable rate and a 9% reduction on the tier 2 variable rate in addition to the introduction of a minor of a fixed supply charge of $2 per month. TMU have also gifted all households 4 power saving light bulbs to improve energy conservation and reduce usage and power bills.
Te Mana Uira O Araura's Aitutaki Solar array comprised of 750kw over 2 acres in Aratea
Future investment in Renewable Energy for Te Mana Uira O Araura
The Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister also announced at the ceremony their commitment to begin the next stage of investments in Te Mana Uira O Araura's renewable energy program. This will start with some technical studies that will then inform a the "stage two project that will see the installation of another 1.2 MW of solar panels and additional battery storage which will maximise renewable energy penetration and lower costs even further for the people of Aitutaki. The preliminary work on this will likely begin in the next few months.
[Media Release-OPM] Quarantine-free travel from the Cook Islands to New Zealand to resume
14 January 2021 Prime Minister Hon Mark Brown today welcomed New Zealand's commitment to the removal of mandatory quarantine for Cook Islands arrivals into New Zealand from 20 January 2021 (Cook Islan
[Media Release - INTAFF] Launch of the Labour Force Survey Report
[Media Release - OPM]Building our Cook Islands Legacy together


text:
"use strict";
var __decorate = (this && this.__decorate) || function (decorators, target, key, desc) {
    var c = arguments.length, r = c < 3 ? target : desc === null ? desc = Object.getOwnPropertyDescriptor(target, key) : desc, d;
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    else for (var i = decorators.length - 1; i >= 0; i--) if (d = decorators[i]) r = (c < 3 ? d(r) : c > 3 ? d(target, key, r) : d(target, key)) || r;
    return c > 3 && r && Object.defineProperty(target, key, r), r;
};
var core_1 = require('@angular/core');
var Authentication = (function () {
    function Authentication() {
        //private expiry: number;
        this.authenticated = false;
        this.setCredentials();
    }
    Authentication.prototype.getEmail = function () {
        return this.email;
    };
    Authentication.prototype.getStatus = function () {
        return this.authenticated;
    };
    Authentication.prototype.getUid = function () {
        return this.uid;
    };
    Authentication.prototype.getId = function () {
        return this.id;
    };
    Authentication.prototype.getAccountName = function () {
        return this.accountName;
    };
    Authentication.prototype.setStatus = function (value) {
        this.authenticated = value;
    };
    Authentication.prototype.saveCredentials = function (id, account_name, email, uid, client, accessToken) {
        localStorage.setItem('Access-Token', accessToken);
        localStorage.setItem('Client', client);
        localStorage.setItem('Uid', uid);
        localStorage.setItem('id', id);
        localStorage.setItem('email', email);
        localStorage.setItem('account_name', account_name);
        this.setCredentials();
    };
    Authentication.prototype.isCredentialsValid = function () {
        this.setCredentials();
        return this._status();
    };
    Authentication.prototype.setCredentials = function () {
        this.accessToken = localStorage.getItem('Access-Token');
        this.client = localStorage.getItem('Client');
        this.uid = localStorage.getItem('Uid');
        this.id = localStorage.getItem('id');
        this.email = localStorage.getItem('email');
        this.accountName = localStorage.getItem('account_name');
        this.authenticated = this._status();
        return this;
    };
    Authentication.prototype._status = function () {
        return Boolean(this.id && this.uid && this.client && this.accessToken);
    };
    Authentication = __decorate([
        core_1.Injectable()
    ], Authentication);
    return Authentication;
}());
exports.Authentication = Authentication;
var AUTH = new Authentication();
var AuthService = (function () {
    function AuthService(_api, _router) {
        this._api = _api;
        this._router = _router;
        this.authenticated = false;
        this.setCredentials();
    }
    // localstrage に記憶する
    AuthService.prototype.rememberCredentials = function (remember, email, password) {
        if (remember) {
            localStorage.removeItem('remember-name');
            localStorage.removeItem('remember-password');
            localStorage.setItem('remember-name', email);
            localStorage.setItem('remember-password', password);
        }
    };
    AuthService.prototype.setResponse = function (response) {
        var body = response.json().data;
        // なんで forefoxだと小文字で、chromeだと大文字になんねん
        this.saveCredentials(body.id, body.account_name, body.email, response.headers.get('uid') || response.headers.get('Uid'), response.headers.get('client') || response.headers.get('Client'), response.headers.get('access-token') || response.headers.get('Access-Token'));
        this.setStatus(true);
    };
    //getStatus() { return AUTH.getStatus(); }
    AuthService.prototype.getAuth = function () { return AUTH; };
    AuthService.prototype.getStatus = function () { return AUTH.getStatus(); };
    AuthService.prototype.getId = function () { return AUTH.getId(); };
    AuthService.prototype.getUid = function () { return AUTH.getUid(); };
    AuthService.prototype.showAccountName = function () {
        return AUTH.getAccountName();
    };
    AuthService.prototype.getEmail = function () {
        return AUTH.getEmail();
    };
    AuthService.prototype.showUid = function () {
        return AUTH.getUid().replace(/@.*/, "");
    };
    AuthService.prototype.setStatus = function (val) { AUTH.setStatus(val); };
    AuthService.prototype.saveCredentials = function (id, account_name, email, uid, client, accessToken) {
        AUTH.saveCredentials(id, account_name, email, uid, client, accessToken);
    };
    AuthService.prototype.isCredentialsValid = function () { return AUTH.isCredentialsValid(); };
    AuthService.prototype.setCredentials = function () {
        this.authenticated = AUTH.isCredentialsValid();
    };
    AuthService.prototype.check_if_authenticated = function (callback, args, force) {
        var _this = this;
        if (force === void 0) { force = false; }
        this.setCredentials();
        this._router.navigateByUrl('/login');
        // localstrageにクレデンシャルが保存されてない場合無効
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            this.setStatus(false);
            return false;
        }
        // 認証済みかつ、強制認証フラグが無効の場合有効
        if (!force && this.getStatus()) {
            this.setStatus(true);
            return true;
        }
        console.log("start checking credentials");
        this._api.getValidateToken().subscribe(function (data) {
            var body = data.json();
            var result = Boolean(body.success);
            _this.setStatus(result);
            callback(result, args);
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            console.log(err);
            _this.setStatus(false);
            callback(false, args);
        }, function () { return console.log("complete credentials checking"); });
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    AuthService = __decorate([
        core_1.Injectable()
    ], AuthService);
    return AuthService;
}());
exports.AuthService = AuthService;
//# sourceMappingURL=auth.service.js.map


Our spring Matilda Jane photo shoot on Sunday with Kristin Senay Rose and Heidi Felicetti was fun!!! I got to take pix of my own daughter. Cannot wait to show. Thx u Kelly Costa for the MJC wear and my instructors Tracy Montarti and @codaphotography and thank you to Studio 412 for the space.
This was my first time using this studio, new props, and my new backdrops and new camera and a new lense. This was also my first styled shoot (on this side of the camera). So fun.
I used manual mode the entire time which is a huge step for me and I used two cameras around my neck (one with fixed 50 mm lense) and (one 55 mm-200mm).


text:
Resurrection (German: Auferstehung) is a 1958  historical drama film directed by Rolf Hansen and starring Horst Buchholz, Myriam Bru and Edith Mill. It was made as a co-production between France, Italy and West Germany. It is an adaptation of the 1899 novel Resurrection by Leo Tolstoy.

It was shot at the Bavaria Studios in Munich with sets designed by the art director Robert Herlth.

Cast
 Horst Buchholz as Nechljudoff
 Myriam Bru as Katjuschka
 Edith Mill as Fedosia
 Ruth Niehaus as Missy
 Lea Massari as Marja Pawlowna
 Marisa Merlini as Bockowa
 Günther Lüders as Briefträger
 Jean Murat as Gerichtsvorsitzender
 Robert Freitag as Simonson
 Gabrielle Dorziat as Kitajewa
  as Taras
 Antonio Cifariello as Chenbeck
 Rudolf Rhomberg as Smjelkoff
 Elisabeth Flickenschildt as Agrafena
 Ernst Schröder as Gouverneur
 Lina Carstens as Matrjona
 Alma Seidler as Tante Marja
 Adrienne Gessner as Tante Sonja
  as Kartinkin
 Ernst Fritz Fürbringer as Oberst
  as Prosecutor
 Roma Bahn as Großfürstin
 Tilla Durieux as Alte
 Hans Magel as Richter
 Marisa Merlini as Bockowa

References

Bibliography
 Bock, Hans-Michael & Bergfelder, Tim. The Concise CineGraph. Encyclopedia of German Cinema. Berghahn Books, 2009.

External links

1958 films
West German films
Films directed by Rolf Hansen
Films based on Resurrection
Films set in the 19th century
Films set in Russia
1950s historical drama films
French historical drama films
Italian historical drama films
German historical drama films
1950s German-language films
Bavaria Film films
Films shot at Bavaria Studios
1958 drama films
1950s Italian films
1950s French films
1950s German films

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


text:
A WWII Battlefields Tour to Explore the Liberation of Europe by Laura Jeeves
A WWII Battlefields Tour to Explore the Liberation of Europe
Travel & Tourism,Art and Culture,Advice
For anyone who wishes to delve deeper into the pages of history by visiting the sites of some of Europe's most momentous events, a well-organised small group tour can be an extremely effective way of achieving an insightful total immersion.
A group tour itinerary that takes in multiple WWII battlefield sites that were so pivotal to what's become known as D-Day (June 6th, 1944), provides a window into one of the most defining moments of the twentieth century. These sites include not just the famous French beaches of Normandy, where the Allied forces set the course for the liberation of Europe, but also important historical locations in England, Belgium and the Netherlands.
Hampshire: England
Southwick House, in Hampshire, was General Eisenhower's 'Ground Zero', from where he orchestrated the invasion by the Allied Forces of mainland Europe, which stopped Hitler in his tracks. The museum on site provides a comprehensive overview of Eisenhower's ambitious manoeuvres, including his original detailed map with mark-ups.
The site is also home to the Royal Military Police Museum. The museum showcases the work and history of this highly important unit, which has been in operation since the Napoleonic Wars and remains so to this day.
Longues-sur-Mer: France
Just 10km north of Bayeux (where the renowned Bayeux Tapestry is currently housed in an eighteenth-century seminary), the Longues-sur-Mer German gun battery stands as a monument to the sheer scale of Eisenhower's operation on the beaches of Normandy, and its defensive fortifications. As his troops landed they faced up to the intimidating steel and concrete of the infamous Atlantic Wall, the defence intended to halt infiltration from the British Isles. Today the gun battery is an enduring reminder of this bloody, history-changing battle.
Breendonk Concentration Camp: Belgium
For anyone wanting to witness the full gamut of the WWII historical experience, a group tour that includes a visit to the sobering Breendonk concentration camp shows the alternative face of war. Even in Western Europe, the reach of the brutal Nazi rule left its horrifying stain on history, with more than 3,500 prisoners passing through the camp between 1940 and 1944. While visiting the camp is, today, highly emotive, its heritage pays tribute to the prisoners' spirit of resistance as well as detailing the atrocities committed within its gates.
The Last Nazi Stronghold: The Netherlands
As the last Nazi stronghold before Germany, parts of the Netherlands were virtually crippled by starvation during WWII. Allied troops secured points on the Rhine at Oosterbeck, Nijmegen and Arnhem, in preparation for an attack into Northern Germany. Although it was ultimately a failure, the liberation of great swathes of Holland brought great relief to the locals. Today, traversing this route is an important part of an itinerary that seeks to unwrap the full story of the ramifications of Nazi rule during the war.
A well-organised group tour to explore the important WWII sites in France, England, Belgium and the Netherlands brings history to life in a way no amount of research alone can do. In addition to their appeal as historical markers, each of them can stand alone for their outstanding culture and natural beauty.
John Dixon is an experienced world traveller and the Managing Director of Prestige Holidays for over 30 years. Recently his well-received group tour itineraries, which venture to the far corners of the globe, have been included in Prestige's luxury holiday portfolio. John tries to visit each of the destinations regularly in order to ensure the quality of his properties, and stay up-to-date about the latest local news and events. He has a taste for the finer things in life and has an interest in arts, history and culture.
Related Articles - Group, tour,


of behavior to get what one wants, extremely aggressive. Has negative connotations.
Sometimes in a business setting executives use cut-throat tactics to get ahead.
Last edited on May 13 2011. Submitted by Charles B. from Westminster, CO, USA on Jun 17 1999.


Being tall has its pros and cons; so does being short. But here's a new drawback to being on the small side: a recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that short adults have a higher risk of heart disease than taller folks. Womp, womp.
The research, released on Wednesday, tested nearly 200,000 subjects of European descent to determine the connection between genetic traits that influence height and a person's risk of developing coronary artery disease, which includes heart failure and heart attack. The results showed that every 2.5 inches of height reduces individual risk by 13.5%. With a little math, BBC reports that someone who is 6 feet tall is 65% less likely to experience heart issues than someone who is just 5 feet tall. Ouch.
So being tall might give you a natural advantage, but it won't shield you from the effects of other activities that are likely to increase your risk. Nilesh Samani, a professor of cardiology at the University of Leicester in England and lead author of the study, pointed out to BBC News that smoking increases a person's risk of heart disease by 200 to 300%. "If you're 6 feet, 1 inch, you still need to stop smoking," he said.
The study also mentions that shortness has been connected with other heart health issues such as "high blood pressure, high levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and diabetes."
Luckily, there's lots you can do to reduce your risk of heart disease, whether or not you're vertically challenged.


text:
Governor's Report Shows $1.5 Billion Budget Deficit in FY2018
When the Illinois General Assembly overrode Governor Rauner's veto of the FY2018 budget package in July, it estimated that the enacted budget would have an operating surplus of about $360 million. Since the override, Governor Rauner has insisted that the legislature's budget plan results in a deficit rather than a surplus.
This week the Governor's Office of Management and Budget (GOMB) released numbers supporting that assessment in an economic and fiscal policy report and accompanying five-year budget projection. Similar numbers were presented in offering documents for the first round of bond issuances to pay down part of the State's multibillion dollar backlog of bills.
GOMB projects an FY2018 operating deficit of $1.5 billion, based mainly on lower revenues and higher debt service and pension expenses. The following table compares the General Assembly's budget estimates with the numbers provided by GOMB. The General Assembly numbers were published in a recent report by the legislature's Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability (COGFA).
GOMB projects revenues of $35.9 billion in FY2018, about $511 million less than what was projected by the General Assembly. The legislature's revenue estimates were developed before final results were available for the previous fiscal year. As explained by Fitch Ratings, weaker than expected revenues in FY2017 left the State with a lower revenue base in FY2018. In February 2017, when the Governor issued his proposed FY2018 budget, Illinois' major State revenue sources—individual income taxes, corporate income taxes and sales taxes—were expected to bring in $23.6 billion in FY2017. They actually generated $23.0 billion, according to the bond documents.
GOMB, like the General Assembly, includes $300 million of revenues ($240 million net of associated expenses) from the planned sale of the James R. Thompson Center in Chicago. However, as the Civic Federation has noted, these revenues may not materialize if the transaction cannot be implemented at that sale price or by the end of FY2018.
On the expenditure side, one of the largest differences is in expected pension contributions. GOMB's estimate of the State's FY2018 General Funds pension contributions is approximately $7.0 billion. That figure is $428 million higher than the General Assembly's estimate of $6.6 billion. The difference stems mainly from delayed implementation of a new Tier 3 pension plan for new university employees and public school teachers outside Chicago. The plan, which was part of Governor Bruce Rauner's proposed FY2018 budget, was intended to save the State about $500 million but will not be launched in the current fiscal year. Illinois' largest pension fund, the Teachers' Retirement System, has said the earliest implementation date for Tier 3 would be July 1, 2019, which would affect the FY2020 budget. The General Assembly's budget allowed the pension systems to set their own starting dates.
Despite the Tier 3 delay, another pension provision in the FY2018 budget that was also included in the Governor's recommended budget is expected to result in significant savings. Changes in required contributions related to revised actuarial assumptions are now phased in over five years. The smoothing technique applies retroactively to any assumptions made from 2012 on. As discussed here and here, smoothing generates savings by deferring contributions to the future. In addition, local employers, instead of the State, are now responsible for current pension benefit costs for university employees and teachers outside Chicago with salaries above the Governor's. Without the changes, FY2018 pension fund contributions would have been more than $7.8 billion.
GOMB projects that debt service transfers from General Funds will be $581 million more than originally projected. This is due to the fact that the General Assembly planned to allocate its expected $360 million surplus to pay debt service on $3 billion of borrowing to reduce the bill backlog. Now that GOMB is moving forward with the borrowing, it has added expected debt service to its expenditure projection and has nearly doubled the estimated amount because it plans to issue the full $6 billion authorized by the budget.
GOMB's figure for statutory transfers is $234 million higher than the legislature's at $573 million. The increase is related to the fact that the FY2018 budget bypasses General Funds in the distribution of funds to local governments and transit districts. As discussed here, the money now goes directly to other designated accounts outside of General Funds instead of being deposited into General Funds and then transferred out. However, $234 million of scheduled transfers were made from General Funds after the beginning of the fiscal year on July 1 and before the budget was enacted on July 6.
For preschool through secondary education, GOMB's estimate of $8.0 billion is $221 million below the General Assembly's $8.2 billion. The amount represents a payment to the Chicago Public Schools for normal pension costs and retiree health insurance expenses. GOMB included the payment in the Government Services category instead of the education category.
GOMB also showed savings of $156 million, labelled "deficit spending reductions." These initiatives of the Governor included limiting increases in State spending, taking 5% reductions in many programs that were not reduced by the General Assembly and continuing to require six-month eligibility determinations for participation in the State's subsidized child care program for low income working families, according to the economic and fiscal policy report.
Finally, GOMB estimated total expenditures at $37.4 billion, which is $1.3 billion higher than the General Assembly. The total of all these differences is a net $1.8 billion less for the State, resulting in GOMB's estimate of a $1.5 billion deficit rather than the General Assembly's expected $360 million surplus.
The Governor's Office plans to use the proceeds of approximately $6 billion from selling bonds to help reduce the bill backlog to about $7.5 billion by the end of FY2018 from $15.1 billion at the end of September 2017. According to the economic and fiscal policy report, about $3 billion of the bond proceeds will be used to pay group health insurance bills and the remaining $3 billion will be used to pay Medicaid bills and other overdue bills that accrue interest penalties at rates of as much as 12% per year. Use of the bond proceeds to pay Medicaid bills is expected to generate federal reimbursements of $1.1 billion.
In addition, the State is expected to transfer or borrow a total of $850 million from other State funds to help reduce the backlog. The General Assembly's budget implementation measure authorized $293 million in fund transfers and $1.2 billion in interfund borrowing to be paid back within two years.
According to GOMB, there were approximately $1.2 billion of operational expenses incurred by the State in FY2017 that have yet to be appropriated for. Although the General Assembly authorized the use of FY2018 appropriations to pay FY2017 bills, this would result in an appropriations shortfall of the same amount for FY2018 bills. However, the $1.2 billion is already included in the total bill backlog.
GOMB's five-year budget projection shows the bill backlog growing from $7.5 billion at the end of FY2018 to $9.1 billion in FY2019 and $13.7 billion in FY2023. Expenditures are expected to outpace revenues despite significant revenue increases in FY2018, including an increase in individual income tax rates from 3.75% to 4.95% and corporate tax rates from 5.25% to 7.0%.
However, the additional revenue—approximately $5.2 billion in FY2018, according to COGFA—has improved the State's financial outlook. GOMB's previous five-year forecast, in November 2016, projected a backlog of $47.1 billion at the end of FY2022.